Inhibition of the outgrowth and elongation of neurites from pheochromocytoma cells by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine and preventive effects of dimethylsulfoniopropionate in the presence of nerve growth factor

Abstract

The combined effects of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) (10-3, 10-4 and 10-5 M) with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6- tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) (5 ng/mL) and the nerve growth factor (NGF) (5 ng/mL) on the outgrowth and elongation of neurites from pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells were examined on RPMI medium containing fetal bovine serum and horse serum with penicillin and streptomycin in collagen-coated dishes for 5 d. The growth was higher in increasing order of the DMSP (10-3 M), MPTP and NGF, the DMSP (10-5 M), MPTP and NGF, the MPTP and NGF group and the control group up to 3 d, but not in the NGF and the DMSP (10-4 M), MPTP and NGF groups. The growth in all the experimental groups showed plateaus from days 4 to 5. The appearance of neurites from the cells in all the groups showed maxima on the 3rd day. The administration of NGF significantly stimulated the outgrowth of neurites from the cells, while the supplementation of MPTP noticeably inhibited the appearance of neurites even in the presence of NGF up to 5 d. However, the addition of DMSP (10-3 and 10-4 M) to the latter group completely prevented the inhibition of the MPTP. These facts were significantly supported by the photographs of neurite-bearing cells on the 3rd day and also by the photometric analyses examining the reaction of MPTP to DMSP, NGF or Collagen IV.