INHIBITION OF AGE-INDUCED BETA-AMYLOID NEUROTOXICITY IN RAT HIPPOCAMPAL CELLS

The conditions under which beta-amyloid (A beta) is toxic to primary r at hippocampal neurons were investigated. Synthetic A beta(1-42) pepti de was neurotoxic following ''aging'' for 7 to 14 days at 37 degrees C in modified Eagle's media. Neurotoxicity included decreases in neurit e length, cell number, and metabolic state. In contrast, aging A beta( 1-42) in the presence of the media supplement B27 inhibited A beta(1-4 2)-induced neurotoxicity. Differences in the aggregation state of the two preparations did not account for differences in the biological act ivities elicited by each peptide. Since components of B27 include anti oxidants as well as other agents that provide protection against oxida tive damage, we suggest that free radicals may be responsible, in part , for the toxicity that occurs following the aging of the peptide. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.