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Research Articles

Hydrogen peroxide induces neurite degeneration: Prevention by tocotrienols

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Pages 681-691 | Received 01 Dec 2010, Accepted 28 Feb 2011, Published online: 21 Mar 2011
 

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) may attack several types of tissues and chronic exposure to ROS may attenuate various biological functions and increase the risk of several types of serious disorders. It is known that treatments with ROS attack neurons and induce cell death. However, the mechanisms of neuronal change by ROS prior to induction of cell death are not yet understood. Here, it was found that treatment of neurons with low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide induced neurite injury, but not cell death. Unusual bands located above the original collapsin response mediator protein (CRMP)-2 protein were detected by western blotting. Treatment with tocopherol or tocotrienols significantly inhibited these changes in neuro2a cells and cerebellar granule neurons (CGCs). Furthermore, prevention by tocotrienols of hydrogen peroxide-induced neurite degeneration was stronger than that by tocopherol. These findings indicate that neurite beading is one of the early events of neuronal degeneration prior to induction of death of hydrogen peroxide-treated neurons. Treatment with tocotrienols may protect neurite function through its neuroprotective function.

This paper was first published online on Early Online on 24 March 2011.