Concentration-dependent effects of fullerenol on cultured hippocampal neuron viability.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies have shown that the biological actions and toxicity of the water-soluble compound, polyhydroxyfullerene (fullerenol), are related to the concentrations present at a particular site of action. This study investigated the effects of different concentrations of fullerenol on cultured rat hippocampal neurons.


RESULTS
Fullerenol at low concentrations significantly enhanced hippocampal neuron viability as tested by MTT assay and Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide double stain detection. At high concentrations, fullerenol induced apoptosis confirmed by Comet assay and assessment of caspase proteins.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that fullerenol promotes cell death and protects against cell damage, depending on the concentration present. The concentration-dependent effects of fullerenol were mainly due to its influence on the reduction-oxidation pathway.
CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People’s Republic of China.
Ying-ying
YY
Zha
Bo
B
Yang
Ming-liang
ML
Tang
Qiu-chen
QC
Guo
Ju-tao
JT
Chen
Long-ping
LP
Wen
Ming
M
Wang
D000447:Aldehydes / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D020552:Comet Assay; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D037741:Fullerenes / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
D000447:Aldehydes; D037741:Fullerenes; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D009498:Neurotoxins; C108127:fullerenol; C015977:malealdehyde; D007854:Lead; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D020169:Caspases; D005978:Glutathione