A combination of gangliosides and nerve growth factor alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced neuronal cells damage and its mechanism

Objective: To evaluate the effect of gangliosides (GM1) in combination with nerve growth factor (NGF) against neuronal cells damage evoked by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and tries to uncover its probable mechanism. Methods: (1) Cell viability was measured using Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method, which was also determined the optimum concentration of LPS for the damage models; meanwhile, cell morphology was observed by microscope. (2) The expression level of NF-kappa B was detected by RT-PCR. (3) Finally, NF-kappa B inhibitor pyrollidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) was treated for the research of NF-kappa B pathway. Results: (1) MTT results shown that the LPS injury was dose-dependent, and 100nmol/L was selected as the optimum damage concentration. (2) Through the morphological observation, MTT and RT-PCR analysis, we found that GM1 and NGF both can protect cells against LPS injury; interestingly, combination of GM1 and NGF had a slighter LPS injury than GM1 administration alone. Moreover, the expression of NF-kappa B in combination group was lower than that in GM1 group, indicated that blockage of NF-kappa B pathway was better for cells living. Conclusion: Combination of GM1 and NGF has a better protective act on LPS injury than GM1 alone. The mechanism may have some connections with NF-kappa B pathways.