[Effect of ethanol on the development of mouse neuroblasts].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of ethanol on the development of embryonic neuroblasts and the relation to ethanol's teratogenicity.


METHODS
12 day mouse embryos with 34-36 somites were separated from the dam. The embryonic midbrain was cut off and neuroblasts were prepared for primary culture. The neuroblasts were cultured with different concentrations of ethanol. After 3-5 days, the cell differentiation, neurofilament protein level and apoptosis were detected.


RESULTS
Differentiation of the midbrain neuroblasts were inhibited by ethanol exposure. As the ethanol concentration increasing, the level of neurofilament protein decreased and the number of cells undergoing apoptosis increased, showing a dose dependant style.


CONCLUSIONS
Alcohol could inhibit the differentiation of midbrain neuroblasts, suppressed the express of neurofilament protein and induce excessive apoptosis, which may be related to the teratogenic action of ethanol on central nervous system.
Xu
Yajun
Y
Department of Nutrition & Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China. yajun_xucn@126.com
Li
Yong
Y
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D013723:Teratogens / Q000633:toxicity*
D013723:Teratogens; D000431:Ethanol