title: Protective effects of lycopene against amyloid β-induced neurotoxicity in cultured rat cortical neurons.
abstract: The neurotoxicity of amyloid β (Aβ) has been implicated as a critical cause in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Among antioxidant phytochemicals derived from fruit and vegetables, lycopene has recently received considerable attention for its potent protective properties already demonstrated in several models of oxidative damage. The present study aims to investigate whether lycopene could provide protective effects against Aβ-induced neurotoxicity in primary cultured rat cortical neurons. The cultured cortical neurons were pretreated with different dose of lycopene for 4h, followed by the challenge with 25 μM Aβ(25-35) for 24h. The results showed that pretreatment with lycopene efficiently attenuated Aβ(25-35)-induced neurotoxicity, as evidenced by the improved cell viability and the decreased apoptotic rate. In addition, lycopene inhibited the reactive oxygen species generation and mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization caused by Aβ(25-35). Lycopene also restored the levels of proapoptotic Bax, antiapoptotic Bcl-2, and inhibited caspase-3 activation. These beneficial effects may contribute to the protection against Aβ-induced neurotoxicity. Together, our results suggest that the natural antioxidant lycopene has potential for neuroprotection and therefore, may be a promising candidate for AD treatment.
authors: Department of Occupational Health, Third Military Medical University, No. 30 Gaotanyan Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400038, China.
authors: Mingyue
authors: M
authors: Qu
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Li
authors: Chunhai
authors: C
authors: Chen
authors: Min
authors: M
authors: Li
authors: Liping
authors: L
authors: Pei
authors: Fang
authors: F
authors: Chu
authors: Ju
authors: J
authors: Yang
authors: Zhengping
authors: Z
authors: Yu
authors: Denggao
authors: D
authors: Wang
authors: Zhou
authors: Z
authors: Zhou
mesh_terms: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D000077276:Lycopene; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D000975:Antioxidants; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; C439320:amyloid beta-protein (25-36); D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D002338:Carotenoids; D053148:Caspase 3; D000077276:Lycopene