Sabeluzole accelerates neurite outgrowth in different neuronal cell lines

The outgrowth of neurites in neuronal cell cultures reflects the intrinsic capacity for neurite regeneration and morphological rearrangements after axotomy and in plasticity. The role of fast axonal transport in these neurite outgrowth responses has not been investigated. We have recently shown that sabeluzole (R58735), a new neuro-active compound increases fast axonal transport in cultures of hippocampal neurons. In rat hippocampal neurons, N4 neuroblastoma cells and adult rat dorsal root ganglion cultures, incubation with sabeluzole at an optimal concentration of between 0.1 μM and 0.5 μM enhances neurite outgrowth between 10 and 30%. The relative number of cells with neurite length greater than twice the cell body, is also increased dose-dependently. Time-dependent studies further indicate that the rate of neurite elongation is markedly enhanced during the first 24-48 h. This neurite enhancing effect of sabeluzole is discussed in relation to the enhancement of fast axonal transport.