Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2012, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (13): 971-977.

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Methyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate promotes neurite outgrowth of cortical neurons cultured in vitro

Zheng Zhang1, Xing Zhou1, Xiaowen Zhou1, Xiao Xu1, Minjing Liao1, Li Yan1, Ruohua Lv1,Huanmin Luo1, 2, 3   

  1. 1 Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
    2 Institute of Brain Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
    3 Joint Laboratory for Brain Function and Health, Jinan University and the University of Hong Kong, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632,Guangdong Province, China
  • Received:2011-11-01 Revised:2012-02-24 Online:2012-05-05 Published:2012-05-05
  • Contact: Huanmin Luo, M.D.,Professor, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jinan University,Guangzhou 510632,Guangdong Province, China;Institute of Brain Science,Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China; Joint Laboratory for Brain Function and Health, Jinan University and the University of Hong Kong, Jinan University,Guangzhou 510632,Guangdong Province, China tlhm@jnu.edu.cn
  • About author:Zheng Zhang★, Master,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jinan University,Guangzhou 510632,Guangdong Province, China

PDF

1055

Abstract:

Cerebral cortical neurons from neonatal rats were cultured in the presence of methyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate (MDHB; 2, 4, and 8 μM). Results showed that MDHB significantly promoted neurite outgrowth and microtubule-associated protein 2 mRNA expression, and increased neuronal survival in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, MDHB induced brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression. These findings suggest that MDHB has a neurotrophic effect, which may be due to its ability to increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression.

Key words: methyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate, neurite outgrowth, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurodegenerative diseases, neural regeneration