J. Stabelburow et al., GLUTATHIONE LEVELS AND NERVE-CELL LOSS IN HIPPOCAMPAL CULTURES FROM TRISOMY-16 MOUSE - A MODEL OF DOWN-SYNDROME, Brain research, 765(2), 1997, pp. 313-318
The tripeptide glutathione (reduced state, GSH) is an important intrac
ellular free radical scavenger protecting cells against oxidative stre
ss. The trisomy 16 mouse is a model of the human trisomy 21 (Down synd
rome). Here we demonstrate that cultured hippocampal neurons from tris
omy 16 mouse exhibit decreased GSH levels and augmented cell death whe
n compared to diploid cells. Additional lowering of GSH levels led to
enhanced cell death in trisomy 16 cells. Based on these results we sug
gest that a GSH level which is decreased under a specific threshold by
increased consumption, I:educed synthesis or lack in precursor contri
butes to cell loss and neurodegeneration in Down syndrome. (C) 1997 El
sevier Science B.V.