Effect of lead and selenium on primary cultured hippocampal neurons.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of lead and selenium on the growth and survival of primary cultured hippocampal neurons.MethodThe primary culture of hippocampal neurons of newborn Wistar rats with serum-free medium was established.After co-cultured with PbCl₂ and Na₂SeO₃ respectively and simultaneously,the growth of neurites and survival of neurons were tested.ResultsPb2+(10^-5 mol/L)delayed the growth of neurons,shortened the length of neurites,and decreased the neurons'survival rate.Selenium(2×10^-6 mol/L)stimulated the growth of neurites,especially at early time of culture.There was no significant effect of selenium at studied dosage on survival rate of hippocampal neurons.The results of co-cultivated with PbCl₂ and along with the culture time prolongation,the antagonistic effect of selenium declined.The antagonistic effect of selenium on the inhibition of neurons'survival rate caused by lead wasn't observed.ConclusionLead inhibited the growth and survival of hippocampal neurons.At studied dosage selenium accelerated the growth of hippocampal neurons and antagonized the lead toxicity at the early culture time.