Cannabidiol Protects Dopaminergic Neurons in Mesencephalic Cultures against the Complex I Inhibitor Rotenone Via Modulation of Heme Oxygenase Activity and Bilirubin.

ABSTRACT: Phytocannabinoids protect neurons against stressful conditions, possibly via the heme oxygenase (HO) system. In cultures of primary mesencephalic neurons and neuroblastoma cells, we determined the capability of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to counteract effects elicited by complex I-inhibitor rotenone by analyzing neuron viability, morphology, gene expression of IL6, CHOP, XBP1, HO-1 (stress response), and HO-2, and in vitro HO activity. Incubation with rotenone led to a moderate stress response but massive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons (DN) in primary mesencephalic cultures. Both phytocannabinoids inhibited in-vitro HO activity, with CBD being more potent. Inhibition of the enzyme reaction was not restricted to neuronal cells and occurred in a non-competitive ma

SUBMITTER: Duvigneau JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7070382 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature