RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore whether the nerve growth factor has protective effects on PC12 cells from injury induced by 2, 5-hexanedione.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With PC12 cells as the model of neurons, different concentrations of NGF were added into the culture of PC12 cells. Then cell viability was tested with MTT. The DNA fragment was observed with agarose gel electrophoresis. The apoptosis ratio was tested with flow cytometry (FACS). The p53 protein was detected with western blot. The differences among the groups were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Cell viabilities were increased with the increase of the concentrations of NGF (P < 0.05). The DNA fragment, the apoptosis ratio and the expression of p53 were all decreased with the increase of the concentrations of NGF (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The NGF might have direct nutritional effects on PC12 cells, and protect them from injury induced by 2, 5 HD. Moreover, it might also have anti-apoptosis effect to some extent.</p>