Effect Of Agmatine On Apoptosis In PC12 Induced By Glutamate

Objective: This study investigates the damage of PC12 cells induced by Glutamate, and the possible neuro-protective effect of agmatine against the cell damage.Method: After exposed to glutamate or glutamate plus agmatine, viability of PC12 cells was assessed by MTT colorimetric assay and apoptosis rate by flow cytometry. DNA fragmentation was examined by agarose gel electrophoresis. Meanwhile, the morphological characters of apoptosis were checked with fluorescence microscope. Result: (1) Glutamate inhibited the growth of PC12 cells in a time-dependent manner in a certain range of dose. (2) Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed the DNA fragmentation caused by glutamate. (3) These damages caused by glutamate were consistent with the morphological changes observed fluorescence microscope. (4) Agmatine at doses of 0.1mmol/L~5mmol/L can apparently increased growth rate of PC12 cells and reduced apoptotic rate. 1mmol/L agmatine can effectively protect DNA injury induced by Glu, as indicatedby DNA fragmentation assay.Conclusion: Apoptosis may be involved in the cell damage caused by exposure of PC12 to glutamate. Agmatine has protective effect on PC12 cells against the neurotoxicity of glutamate. The mechanism of this neuro protection may be related to the ability of agmatine in blocking NMDA-R, decreasing [Ca2 +] and improving mitochondrial function.