Effect of lead on cyclic AMP level in cultured hippocampal neuron

  Objective   To determine the effect of lead exposure on cyclic AMP level in cultured hippocampal neurons.

  Methods   To establish the neuron model of lead exposure in vitro.After primary embryonal rathippocampal neurons were cultured for 3 days, cells were induced by different concentration of Pb²⁺ (10^-4, 10^-6, 10^-8 mol/L)for three weeks.To shat ter hippocampal neurons with ultrasonic disintegrator and to determine the cyclic AMP level by radio-immunity assay.

  Results   Lead could inhibit adenylate cyclase, even in lead exposure concentration of 1×10^-8mol/L.Higher level of lead exposureled to lowercyclic AMP level, which showed a dose-dependent effect.

  Conclusion   The descent of cyclic AMP level in hippocampal neur ons exposed to lead maybe one mechanism for lead affecting learning and memory.