Protective Effects of Probucol on Different Brain Cells Exposed to Manganese

Erica Blenda da Silva1, Tuany Eichwald2, Viviane Glaser3

  • 1Graduada em Medicina, Área de Ciências da Vida e Saúde, Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina (UNOESC), Campus de Joaçaba, SC, 89600-000, Joaçaba, Brazil.

Neurotoxicity Research
|January 19, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Probucol, an antioxidant drug, protects against manganese (Mn) neurotoxicity by preventing oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in human brain cells. This study highlights probucol

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Toxicology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Manganese (Mn) is essential but toxic in excess, causing Parkinson-like symptoms (manganism).
  • Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress are key mechanisms in Mn neurotoxicity.
  • Probucol possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties with potential neuroprotective roles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the protective effect of probucol against manganese-induced neurotoxicity.
  • To assess probucol's impact on oxidative stress and mitochondrial function in neuronal cell lines.

Main Methods:

  • Human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and glioblastoma (C6) cells were exposed to varying Mn concentrations.
  • Cells were treated with probucol at different time points post-Mn exposure.
  • Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) complex activity were measured.

Main Results:

  • Mn exposure decreased SH-SY5Y cell viability above 100 µM, an effect mitigated by probucol.
  • C6 cells exhibited higher sensitivity to Mn, with reduced viability after 6h exposure to 500 µM Mn.
  • Probucol prevented Mn-induced inhibition of MRC complexes I and II and reduced intracellular ROS.

Conclusions:

  • Manganese toxicity differentially impacts neuronal and glioblastoma cell lines.
  • Probucol demonstrates significant neuroprotective effects against Mn-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.
  • These findings suggest probucol as a potential therapeutic agent for managing manganese neurotoxicity.