Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) on damage of hippocampal neurons induced by NMDA.MethodsHippocampal neurons were cultured in vitro and NMDA was used to induce neurotoxicity 8 d after, while PQQ were used or not before. The metamorphosis of hippocampal neurons was observed under the microscope. Intracellular calcium levels was measured by confocal laser microscopy. ResultsThe intracellular Ca²⁺ level increased rapidly after exposure to 0.1 mmol/L NMDA and resulted in neuronal necrosis and apoptosis. Otherwise, pretreatment of the cultured neurons with PQQ reduced the increase of the intracellular Ca²⁺ level and the neuronal necrosis or apoptosis induced by NMDA.ConclusionPQQ can protect hippocampal neurons from damage induced by NMDA.

Key words: pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), hippocampal neurons, N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA), rat