Aim: To observe the effects of stearic acid against oxidative stress in primary cultured cortical neurons. Methods: Cortical neurons were exposed to glutamate, hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), or NaN 3 insult in the presence or absence of stearic acid. Cell viability of cortical neurons was determined by MTT assay and LDH release. Endogenous antioxidant enzymes activity[superoxide dismutases (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT)] and lipid peroxidation in cultured cortical neurons were evaluated using commercial kits.5 µmol/L; a noncompetitive inhibitor of proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α], bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE; 100 µmol/L; an antagonist of PPARγ), and cycloheximide (CHX; 30 µmol/L, an inhibitor of protein synthesis) were tested for their effects on the neuroprotection afforded by stearic acid. Western blotting was used to determine the PPARγ protein level in cortical neurons. Results: Stearic acid dose-dependently protected cortical neurons against glutamate or H 2 O 2 injury and increased glutamate uptake in cultured neurons. This protection was concomitant to the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and to the promotion activity of Cu/Zn SOD and CAT in cultured cortical neurons. Its neuroprotective effects were completely blocked by BADGE and CHX. After incubation with H 2 O 2 for 24 h, the expression of the PPARγ protein decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the inhibitory effect of H 2 O 2 on the expression of PPARγ can be attenuated by stearic acid. Conclusion: Stearic acid can protect cortical neurons against oxidative stress by boosting the internal antioxidant enzymes. Its neuroprotective effect may be mainly mediated by the activation of PPARγ and new protein synthesis in cortical neurons.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.