Neuroblastoma cells for testing neuroprotective drug effects

An attempt was made to use neuroblastoma cells for testing neuroprotective drug effects. To achieve cellular damage, cytotoxic hypoxia was induced in neuroblastoma cells after 10 days in culture by addition of sodium cyanide (1 nmol/L) to the culture medium and was terminated after 6 hr by replacing the cyanide-containing fresh nutrient medium. During this hypoxic period cells were additionally deprived of glucose. They were allowed to recover for another 7 days. Drugs were available to the cells from 30 min prior to hypoxia until 24 hr after hypoxia. Cell concentration of high-energy phosphates and culture protein content were determined as representatives for the posthypoxic development of cell damage, cell activity and viability.

While barbiturates and phenytoin revealed neurotoxic effects when applied in doses higher than 300 μmol/L, chlorpromazine, dizocilipine, ketamine, ketzocine, naftidrofuryl, and flunarizine protected neuroblastoma cells against hypoxic damage. These results were comparable to those obtained from primary cultures of neurons under similar experimental conditions. In addition, they were in keeping with neuroprotective drug effects obtained from in vivo experiments. It is suggested that neuroblastoma cells are suitable for testing neuroprotective drug effects.