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Riluzole promotes cell survival and neurite outgrowth in rat sensory neurones in vitro
Author(s) -
Shortland Peter J.,
Leinster Veronica H. L.,
White William,
Robson Lesley G.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2006.05218.x
Subject(s) - neurite , riluzole , in vitro , neuroscience , sensory system , cell survival , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , biology , glutamate receptor , receptor , biochemistry
This study explored the effects of riluzole administration on cell survival and neurite growth in adult and neonatal rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurones in vitro . Neuronal survival was assessed by comparing numbers of remaining neurones in vehicle‐ and riluzole‐treated cultures. A single dose of 0.1 µ m riluzole was sufficient to promote neuronal survival in neonatal DRG cultures, whereas repeated riluzole administration was necessary in adult cultures. However, a single administration of riluzole was sufficient to induce neuritogenesis, promote neurite branching and enhance neurite outgrowth in both neonatal and adult DRG cultures. The effects of a single dose of riluzole on adult DRG neurones after peripheral nerve or dorsal root injury were also studied in vitro at 48 h. For both types of injury, riluzole enhanced neurite outgrowth in terms of number, length and branch pattern significantly more on the injured side as compared with the contralateral side. No effect was seen on cell survival. The results suggest that, in addition to its cell survival effects, riluzole has novel growth‐promoting effects on sensory neurones in vitro and that riluzole may offer a new way to promote sensory afferent regeneration following peripheral injury.