Cortexin ® Ameliorates High Glucose-Induced Neuropathy in Cultured Rat Sensory Neurons

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate whether Cortexin ®, a brain peptide containing agent, has any mitigating effect on high glucose-induced neuropathy using primary cultured rat sensory neurons. Materials and Methods: Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were excised from decapitated adult rats. Individual neurons were isolated following enzymatic and mechanica l procedures. Cells were seeded on E-Plate® with gold microelectrodes, and maintained in conventional culture media in a CO2 incubator at 37 ºC. After allowing for 24 hours for cell adhesion and recovery from acute enzymatic trauma, neurons were exposed to high glucose (HpG) in the absence and pre sence of different concentrations of Cortexin® (2- 40 µg/ml). Neuroprotective effects were followed with the Real-Time Cell Analyzer® by utilizing measurement of Cell Index, a parameter representing cell viability, cell attachment and neurite outgrowth. Results: Exposure of DRG’s to HpG (50 mM) caused a rapid and sustained decrease in the mean area under curve (AUC, values derived from time vs. Cell Index curve) compared to the mean AUC values in NG wells. Co-treatment with Cortexin® attenuated this HpG-induced effect, in a concentration-dependent manner (NG: 1.00±0.00 vs HG: 0.18±0.02 , P
Source: Neuroendocrinology - Category: Endocrinology Source Type: research