NICOTINE PROTECTS AGAINST THE DEXAMETHASONE POTENTIATION OF KAINIC ACID-INDUCED NEUROTOXICITY IN CULTURED HIPPOCAMPAL-NEURONS

To elucidate the neuroprotective effect of nicotine, we investigated w hether nicotine may attenuate dexamethasone potentiation of kainic aci d-induced neurotoxicity. Primary hippocampal culture was pre-treated w ith nicotine for 24 h followed by dexamethasone (10(-4) M) for 24 h. T hen, cultures were exposed with kainic acid(10(-4) M) and cellular via bility was determined by LDH effluxmetry. Nicotine pre-treatment (10(- 9)-10(-7) M) dose-dependently attenuated dexamethasone potentiation of kainic acid-induced neurotoxicity, These results may support the epid emiological data suggesting a neuroprotective effect of cigarette smok ing on Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease.