Protective effect of XY99-5038 on hydrogen peroxide induced cell death in cultured retinal neurons

Author: Xin Y/1,2//Fong YT 2//Wolf G 3//Wolf D 3////
Affiliation: The Institute of Chongchi Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongchi, Sichuang, People's Republic of China [1]//American Biology Engineering Science Research Institute, Glendale, CA 91201, USA [2]//Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA [3]//Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
Conference/Journal: Life Sciences
Date published: 2001
Other: Volume ID: 69 , Issue ID: 3 , Pages: 289-299 , Word Count: 212


This formulation has proven to be effective without side effects but has not been studied under rigorous laboratory conditions. In order to investigate the role of XY99-5038 in protecting neurons from degeneration, we used retinal neuronal culture as a model system to study the protective effects of XY99-5038 against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced cytotoxicity. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a potent neurotrophic factor, was employed as comparable agent. Retinas of 0-2 days old Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated, dissociated, and the neurons maintained for 2 weeks in a synthetic serum-free media. Cytotoxicity was determined by MTT (3,(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) and LDH (Lactate dehydrogenase) assays, whereas apoptotic cell death was evaluated by the TUNEL (TdT-mediated digoxigenin-dUTP nick-end labeling) assay. Treatment with H2O2 significantly induced death of retinal neurons. Pretreatment with XY99-5038 prior to insult greatly inhibited or attenuated H2O2 induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis. These effects were shown to be dose-dependent. Our data also show that the protective effect of XY99-5038 is more potent than that of bFGF. Our data suggest that XY99-5038 could be a potential agent in the treatment of disorders associated with oxidative damage.Keywords: XY99-5038, Oxidative stress, Hydrogen peroxide, Apoptosis, Neuroprotection, Retinal neuronal culture, Yan Xin qigong, Traditional Chinese Medicine, External qi.