PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF NICERGOLINE AGAINST HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE TOXICITY IN RAT NEURONAL CELL-LINE

We examined the effects of nicergoline on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-ind uced neurotoxicity in cultured rat neuronal cell line (B50). H2O2 indu ced death of B50 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The H2O2-induced ne uronal cell death was significantly decreased in B50 cells maintained in the presence of nicergoline. We compared the levels of antioxidants (glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase) in nicergoline-treat ed and untreated B50 cells. Lipid peroxidation products (thiobarbituri c acid reactive substances, TEARS) levels were also measured. Cultures treated with nicergoline had higher levels of catalase activity. TEAR S level was significantly lower in nicergoline-treated cells than in u ntreated cells. Our results suggest that nicergoline may induce the up -regulation of intracellular antioxidant defences and protect the neur onal cells against oxidative stress. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.