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.