ABSTRACT
Objective: To study caspase-3 activities and the neuroprotective effect of caspase-3 inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CMK in primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons during hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). Methods: After pretreated with Ac-DEVD-CMK or the vector DMSO fo 1 h, primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons were induced to hypoxia for 3 h, followed by 12 to 48 h of reoxygenation. The neuronal viability was estimated by MTT assay, and caspase-3 cellular activities were measured by a colorimetric method using Ac-DEVD-pNA as a substrate. Results: During H/R, the cultured rat hippocampal neuronal viability gradually decreased, and caspase-3 activities in the primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons were significantly increased, and peaked at 24 h of reoxygenation. Caspase-3 activities were decreased in the neurons pretreated with Ac-DEVD-CMK in a dose dependent manner. Conclusion: Delayed neuronal death is detected in cultured hippocampal neurons during H/R, and apoptosis mediated by caspase-3 may play an important role in it, and caspase-3 inhibitor has a neuroprotective effect on them.
