Neurotrophic effects of GnRH on neurite outgrowth and neurofilament protein expression in cultured cerebral cortical neurons of rat embryos

Neurochem Res. 2008 Jun;33(6):1051-6. doi: 10.1007/s11064-007-9549-9. Epub 2007 Dec 20.

Abstract

The presence of GnRH receptor in cerebral cortical neurons of rat embryos and adult rats has been described. In this work, we studied the effects of GnRH on outgrowth and length of neurites and cytoskeletal neurofilament proteins expression (NF-68 and NF-200 kDa) by immunoblot of cultured cerebral cortical neurons of rat embryos. Our results show that GnRH increases both outgrowth and length of neurites accompanied by an increase in neurofilaments expression. It is conceivable that GnRH plays a role in neuronal plasticity parallel to its gonadal function.

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cerebral Cortex / cytology*
  • Embryo, Mammalian / anatomy & histology
  • Female
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / metabolism*
  • Hormone Antagonists / metabolism
  • Neurites / metabolism*
  • Neurites / ultrastructure
  • Neurofilament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Oligopeptides / metabolism
  • Pregnancy
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Actins
  • Hormone Antagonists
  • Neurofilament Proteins
  • Oligopeptides
  • neurofilament protein NF 68
  • neurofilament protein H
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • iturelix