Protective action of idebenone against excitotoxic degeneration in cultured cortical neurons.
The novel free radical scavenger and electron-trapping agent, idebenone, protects cultured cortical neurons against necrotic degeneration induced by either a brief exposure to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) or a prolonged exposure to kainate. As opposed to the NMDA receptor antagonist (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]- cyclohepten-5,10-imine hydrogen maleate (MK801), idebenone rescued cortical neurons even when applied 30 min after the NMDA pulse, suggesting that the drug interferes with the chain of toxic reactions triggered by an excessive stimulation of excitatory amino acid receptors.
Bruno
V
V
Institute of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Italy.
Battaglia
G
G
Copani
A
A
Sortino
M A
MA
Canonico
P L
PL
Nicoletti
F
F
D000818:Animals; D016227:Benzoquinones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000494:pharmacology; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
D016227:Benzoquinones; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D009498:Neurotoxins; D014451:Ubiquinone; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate; C036619:idebenone