Protective Action of Neurotrophic Factors and Estrogen against Oxidative Stress-Mediated Neurodegeneration

Figure 2

17β-estradiol prevents cortical neurons from cell death caused by H₂O₂ exposure. Dissociated cortical neurons were prepared from cerebral cortex of postnatal 2-day-old rats. At 6 days in vitro, 17β-estradiol was applied at indicated concentrations. Twenty-four hours later, H₂O₂ (final 50 μM) was added to induce cell death. Following an additional twelve-hour culture, cell survival was determined using an MTT (tetrazolium salt) assay. Data represent mean ± S.D. (𝑛=6). ^∗∗∗𝑃<.001 versus control (no H₂O₂). ^###𝑃<.001 versus no estradiol + H₂O₂.