title: Simvastatin protects neurons from cytotoxicity by up-regulating Bcl-2 mRNA and protein.
abstract: Statins are most commonly prescribed to reduce hypercholesterolemia; however, recent studies have shown that statins have additional benefits, including neuroprotection. Until now, the mechanism underlying statin-induced neuroprotection has been poorly understood. Recent in vivo studies from our lab reported the novel finding that simvastatin increased expression levels of a gene encoding for a major cell survival protein, bcl-2 [Johnson-Anuna et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.312 (2005) 786]. The purpose of the present experiments was to determine if simvastatin could protect neurons from excitotoxicity by altering Bcl-2 levels. Neurons were pre-treated with simvastatin and challenged with a compound known to reduce Bcl-2 levels and induce cell death. Simvastatin pre-treatment resulted in a significant reduction in cytotoxicity (lactate dehydrogenase release and caspase 3 activation) following challenge compared with unchallenged neurons. In addition, chronic simvastatin treatment significantly increased Bcl-2 mRNA and protein levels while challenge resulted in a significant reduction in Bcl-2 protein abundance. G3139, an antisense oligonucleotide directed against Bcl-2, abolished the protective effects of simvastatin and eliminated simvastatin-induced up-regulation of Bcl-2 protein. These findings suggest that neuroprotection by simvastatin is dependent on the drug's previously unexplored and important effect of up-regulating Bcl-2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417, USA.
authors.forename: Leslie N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Johnson-Anuna
authors.forename: Gunter P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Eckert
authors.forename: Cornelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Franke
authors.forename: Urule
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Igbavboa
authors.forename: Walter E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: W Gibson
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020319:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense / Q000494:pharmacology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013873:Thionucleotides / Q000494:pharmacology; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D003603:Cytotoxins; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D020319:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013873:Thionucleotides; C408162:oblimersen; D019821:Simvastatin; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D053148:Caspase 3