Sigma receptor agonists provide neuroprotection in vitro by preserving bcl-2

Sufang Yang, Anish Bhardwaj, Jian Cheng, Nabil J. Alkayed, Patricia D. Hurn, Jeffrey R. Kirsch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

74 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sigma (σ)-receptor agonists attenuate brain injury after experimental focal cerebral ischemia in several species. We tested the hypothesis that the potent, prototypical σ1-receptor agonist, 4-phenyl-1-(4-phenylbutyl) piperidine (PPBP), protects neurons by a mechanism involving the antiapoptotic protein bcl-2. METHODS: Primary cortical neuronal cultures were exposed to either 2 h of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) or glutamate (100 μM). PPBP treatment was initiated either 15 min prior to the insult or at 15 min postinsult then continued for 24 h. In another set of experiments, cultured neurons were preincubated for 2 h prior to PPBP treatment with σ1-receptor antagonist, rimcazole, in a dose-dependent manner. Alive and dead cells were detected with calcein-AM and propidium iodide respectively. Bcl-2 and bax expression were determined by quantitative real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, and DNA damage was detected by TUNEL staining. RESULTS: PPBP pretreatment attenuated neuronal injury induced by OGD or glutamate (50 or 100 μM). This protection was reversed with rimcazole (cell death: OGD 48 ± 2%, OGD plus PPBP 31 ± 3%, OGD plus PPBP with rimcazole 46 ± 2%). PPBP treatment increased bcl-2 but not bax mRNA levels. PPBP's ability to preserve bcl-2 protein after OGD by PPBP was fully abolished by rimcazole. Lastly, PPBP reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells after OGD, suggesting fewer cells with overt DNA damage. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that PPBP reduces cell death in vitro by a mechanism involving receptor-dependent preservation of protective genes such as bcl-2

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1179-1184
Number of pages6
JournalAnesthesia and analgesia
Volume104
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2007
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

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