Effects of semax and its Pro-Gly-Pro fragment on calcium homeostasis of neurons and their survival under conditions of glutamate toxicity.

Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine200720 citationsPMID: 18239779

Plain Language Summary

This study examined Semax and its Pro-Gly-Pro fragment's effects on calcium homeostasis and neuronal survival under glutamate toxicity. Semax protected neurons from excitotoxic calcium overload, providing a mechanism for its neuroprotective effects against glutamate-mediated neuronal damage.

Abstract

Semax (100 microM) and its Pro-Gly-Pro fragment (20 and 100 microM) delayed the development of calcium dysregulation and reduction of the mitochondrial potential in cultured cerebellar granule cells under conditions of glutamate neurotoxicity. Incubation with these peptides improved neuronal survival by on average 30%. The neuroprotective effect of semax in cerebral ischemia/hypoxia can be due to improvement of mitochondrial resistance to "calcium" stress.

Authors

Storozhevykh, T P; Tukhbatova, G R; Senilova, Ya E; Pinelis, V G; Andreeva, L A; Myasoyedov, N F