alpha7 nicotinic receptor-mediated protection against ethanol-induced oxidative stress and cytotoxicity in PC12 cells

Pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell cultures exhibited a concentration-dependent loss of cells and increase in intracellular oxidative stress when exposed to ethanol for 24 h. Selective activation of alpha7 nicotinic receptors with the agonist DMXB (3 microM) attenuated both of these actions of ethanol in a manner that was in turn blocked with the nicotinic antagonist methyllyconitine (1 microM). These results suggest that the cytoprotection conferred by alpha7 nicotinic receptor agonists may be mediated at least in part by reducing the formation or accumulation of reactive oxygen species.