Deoxyglucose prevents neurodegeneration in culture by eliminating microglia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

2-Deoxy-D-glucose is an inhibitor of glycolysis, which is protective in animal models of brain pathology, but the mechanisms of this protection are unclear. We examined whether, when and how deoxyglucose protects neurons in co-culture with astrocytes and microglia. Microglia are brain macrophages, which can damage neurons in inflammatory conditions.

Methods

Deoxyglucose was added to primary cultures of microglia and astrocytes from rat cortex, or neurons and glia from rat cerebellum, or the BV-2 microglial cell line, and cell death and cell functions were evaluated.

Results

Surprisingly, addition of deoxyglucose induced microglial loss and prevented spontaneous neuronal loss in long-term cultures of neurons and glia, while elimination of microglia by L-leuc

SUBMITTER: Vilalta A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3986974 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature