H. Cimarosti et al., An investigation of the neuroprotective effect of lithium in organotypic slice cultures of rat hippocampus exposed to oxygen and glucose deprivation, NEUROSCI L, 315(1-2), 2001, pp. 33-36
Brain ischemia results in cellular degeneration and loss of function. Here
we investigated the neuroprotective effect of lithium in an in vitro model
of ischemia. Organotypic hippocampal slice cultures were exposed to oxygen
and glucose deprivation. Cellular death was quantified by measuring uptake
of propidium iodide (PI). Lithium chloride (0.2-1.2 mM) was added to the me
dium before, during and after lesion induction. A decrease in incorporation
of PI was observed, indicating a neuroprotective effect in all doses teste
d. We also studied the effect of lithium on the phosphorylation of HSP27, a
heat shock protein involved in cellular protection in its dephosphorylated
state. In the lesioned hippocampus, 0.4 mM lithium chloride decreased the
proportion of phosphorylated HSP27 to total HSP27. These results suggest th
at lithium may be useful in the treatment of brain ischemia. (C) 2001 Elsev
ier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.