Stearic acid protects primary cultured cortical neurons against oxidative stress

Abstract

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.

Fatty Acid Methyl Esters and Solutol HS 15 Confer Neuroprotection after Focal and Global Cerebral Ischemia

“…Stearic acid can provide neuroprotection against oxidative stress and oxygen/glucose deprivation in rat cortical/hippocampal slices [21, 22]. However, the esterified form of stearic acid (stearic acid methyl ester) has not been well-explored.…”

Dopaminergic cell populations of the rat substantia nigra are differentially affected by essential fatty acid dietary restriction over two generations

“…For example, DHA has been implicated in reducing apoptosis and necrosis in different classes of neurons (Lang-Lazdunski et al, 2003;Kim et al, 2010) while AA can be a neurotrophic factor on sensory neurons (Robson et al, 2010). The saturated stearic acid (18:0) is able to protect cortical neurons against the effects of oxidative stress (Wang et al, 2007) and the monounsaturated oleic acid (18:1n9) can behave as a neurotrophic factor in primary cell cultures (Medina and Tabernero, 2002) or promote axonogenesis in the Essential fatty acids play a crucial role in the activity of several neurotransmission systems, especially in the monoaminergic systems involved in cognitive and motor aspects of behavior. The present study investigated whether essential fatty acid dietary restriction over two generations could differentially affect dopaminergic cell populations located in the substantia nigra rostro-dorso-medial (SNrm) or caudo-ventro-lateral (SNcv) regions which display distinct neurochemical profile and vulnerability to lesions under selected pathological conditions.…”

Urine metabolic profiles in paediatric asthma

“…Fatty acid levels are associated with inflammation and immune responses. Stearic acid, a saturated fatty acid, protects cortical neurons from oxidative stress by promoting the expression and activity of internal antioxidant enzymes . Heptadecanoic acid, another long‐chain fatty acid, is inversely associated with inflammation and oxidative stress, and may contribute to health improvement, especially in overweight adolescents .…”