Rhynchophylline Protects Cultured Rat Neurons against Methamphetamine Cytotoxicity
Figure 5
Time course changes of the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) indicated by Fluo-3/AM. The neurons were exposed to 25 μM methamphetamine (MA) for 24 hours before rhynchophylline (Rhy) intervention. (a) Fluorescence intensity values of Fluo-3/AM, give an indication of [Ca2+]i in neurons 24 hours after exposure to a gradient of MA concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 μM) (average value of triplicates). Five images were captured of one culture. Around 150–200 neurons were analyzed in each group. The full dots represent the mean fluorescence intensities ± SEM. * versus normal neurons control without exposure to MA. (b) Fluo-3/AM-indicated [Ca2+]i variation between 430 and 860 seconds in neuronal cells, which was detected with Rhy addition after exposure to 25 μM MA for 24 hours. * versus the MA alone control group. #versus the Rhy alone control group. (c) and (d) MA alone control group: neurons in 25 μM MA + medium (no Rhy). (e) and (f) MA + Rhy group: neurons in 25 μM MA + 25 μM Rhy. (g) and (h) Rhy alone control group: normal neurons + 25 μM Rhy. Each of (c), (e), and (g) was recorded for [Ca2+]i fluorescence in the representative single neuronal cell. Each of (d), (f), and (h) show the average change of [Ca2+]i fluorescence in 10 neuronal cells. The full dots represent the mean fluorescence intensity values ± SEM of 10 neurons. * versus the previous time point.
