This study aimed to explore the neuroprotective properties of everolimus and its association with oxidative stress. The HT-22 hippocampal neuronal cell line was utilized as the in vitro model. To assess the protective effects of everolimus, four experimental groups were designed. The control group received no treatment. The pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) group was exposed to 60 mM PTZ for 1 hour. In the everolimus group, cells were treated with increasing concentrations of everolimus (0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, and 10 nM) for 2 hours. In the combination group (everolimus + PTZ), cells were pre-treated with everolimus at the same concentrations for 1 hour, followed by 60 mM PTZ exposure for an additional hour. Cell viability was assessed via the XTT assay, while oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) using commercial assay kits. Treatment with everolimus significantly enhanced cell viability at concentrations of 5 and 10 nM (p 0.01). Additionally, TAS levels were markedly elevated, and TOS levels were significantly reduced in the PTZ + everolimus (10 nM) group compared to the PTZ-only group (p 0.01). These findings suggest that everolimus confers neuroprotection by enhancing the antioxidant defense system and mitigating PTZ-induced cytotoxicity
Yulak et al. (Wed,) studied this question.