title: Ability of GDNF to diminish free radical production leads to protection against kainate-induced excitotoxicity in hippocampus.
abstract: The primary aim of this study is to explore the protective mechanisms of glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) during excitotoxicity by kainate in the hippocampus. After a 15-min microinjection with kainate, excitotoxicity was induced in the rat hippocampus. The protective effect of GDNF in the hippocampus was evaluated by administering GDNF 14 min after injection of kainate. The resulting hydroxyl free radicals were quantified by microdialysis of the hippocampus. The results show that GDNF can effectively suppress the production of kainate-induced hydroxyl free radical production. In addition, histological observation indicated the ability of GDNF to decrease the damage level of pyramidal neurons in the CA3 and CA4 areas of the hippocampus. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the hippocampus was elevated significantly at 30 min and 7 days after kainate induction, while glutathione peroxidase (cGPx) activity did not increase significantly until the seventh day. With GDNF treatment, SOD and cGPx activity in the hippocampus was elevated significantly 7 days after kainate induction. We suggest that mechanisms including a decrease in free radical generation and scavenging of free radicals might be involved in GDNF protection against kainate-induced excitotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Neural Regeneration Laboratory, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. hc_cheng@vghtpe.gov.tw
authors.forename: Henrich
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Yu-Show
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Jiun-Wen
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical / Q000378:metabolism; D007608:Kainic Acid / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005609:Free Radicals; C495041:Gdnf protein, rat; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D009498:Neurotoxins; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D007608:Kainic Acid