Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective effects of nimodipine on kainate-induced
hippocampal neurons. Methods: The
hippocampal neurons cultured for 7 days in vitro were pretreated with nimodipine of different concentration (50, 100 and 200 μmol/L), then they were exposed to kainate (50 and 100 μmol/L). MTT cell viability assay and immunocytocheminstry staining were used to evaluate the protective effects of nimodipine on kainate-induced neurons 24h later. Results: Kainate (kainic acid, KA) in both concentrations of 50 and 100 μmol/L induced significant decrease in cell viability of
hippocampal neurons (P<0.05); The decrease of cell viability in 50 μmol/L kainate concentration was blocked by nimodipine at 50, 100 and 200 μmol/L respectively (P<0.05), but only 200 μmol/L of nimodipine could block the decrease of cell viability in 100 μmol/L of kainate (P<0.05). The morphological changes observed by immunocytochemintry staining were coincident with MTT assay results. Conclusion: Nimodipine has the dose-dependent neuroprotective effects on kainate-induced injury in
hippocampal neuron culture.