Cellular and molecular responses to acute cocaine treatment in neuronal-like N2a cells: potential mechanism for its resistance in cell death
Abstract
Cocaine is a highly abused drug that causes psychiatric and neurological problems. Its entry into neurons could alter cell-biochemistry and contribute in the manifestation of early pathological symptoms. We have previously shown the acute cocaine effects in rat C6 astroglia-like cells and found that these cells were highly sensitive to cocaine in terms of manifesting certain pathologies known to underlie psychological disorders. The present study was aimed to discern acute cocaine effects on the early onset of various changes in Neuro-2a (N2a) cells. Whole-cell patch-clamp recording of differentiated cells displayed the functional voltage-gated Na+ and K+ channels, which demonstrated the neuronal characteristics of the cells. Treatment of these cells with acute cocaine (1 h) at in vivo (nM to μM) and in vitro (mM) concentrations revealed that the cells remained almost 100% viable. Cocaine administration at 6.25 μM or 4 mM doses significantly reduced the inward currents but had no significant effect on outward currents, indicating the Na+ channel-blocking activity of cocaine. While no morphological change was observed at in vivo doses, treatment at in vitro doses altered the morphology, damaged the neurites, and induced cytoplas...Continue Reading
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Assay of glutathione reductase in crude tissue homogenates using 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid)
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