Drug screening of neuroprotective agents on an organotypic-based model of spinal cord excitotoxic damage.

摘要: PURPOSE Damage to segmental motoneurons and spinal cord parenchyma cause denervation atrophy the muscles, contributing chronic disability originated by injury (SCI) motor neuron diseases. After SCI, damage is promoted several underlying mechanisms, including release of glutamate consequent over-activation receptors, mainly NMDA that lead neuronal death. Due lack effective treatments for such conditions, new alternatives need be explored. METHODS In order perform a relatively quick high-fidelity drug screening, we optimized postnatal rat organotypic culture. By using excitotoxic model on explants, compared neuroprotective efficacy four agents: methylprednisolone, erythropoietin, riluzole rolipram. We evaluated number surviving ventral neurons stained with SMI32 antibody estimated tissue preservation quantifying amount EthD fluorescent probe incorporated into cells. RESULTS The best protection was achieved (98%) whereas highest motoneuron obtained methylprednisolone (92%). CONCLUSION in vitro used may serve initiate comparative analyses compounds narrow choice future agents tested vivo.