ABSTRACT
Aim To investigate the protective effects of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)on KCl-stimulated pri-mary cultured neurons and the potential mechanism. Methods The primary cultured cortical neurons were randomly divided into three groups:normal (Con) group,KCl group and SAM-KCl group. The changes of cell morphology were observed by microscope,and the mRNA and protein expression levels of caveolin-1 (Cav-1)in each group were detected by qPCR and Western blot. Results After treated with 0. 05 mol· L - 1 KCl for 12 hours,the primary cultured neurons showed morphological injury,shortening of neurites, reduction of soma mass and accumulation of cells. While neurons pretreated with 0. 02 mol·L-1 SAM for 6 hours could significantly reduce the damage induced by KCl. qPCR and Western blot analysis showed that SAM could reduce the neurons expression of Cav-1 mRNA and protein that induced by KCl. Conclusion SAM can protect neurons from the damage induced by KCl,and Cav-1 plays a critical role in this process.