Na + /H + Exchanger Inhibitor, SM-20220, Is Protective Against Excitotoxicity in Cultured Cortical Neurons

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recently, it has been reported that Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) inhibitors demonstrated protective effects on ischemia/reperfusion brain injury in animal models. However, the mechanisms by which the neurons were protected against ischemic insult remain unclear. To reveal the cellular mechanism of the NHE inhibitor on the neuronal death, we examined the effects of a selective NHE inhibitor, SM-20220 (N-[aminoiminomethyl]-1-methyl-1H-indole-2-carboxamide methanesulfonate), on glutamate-induced neuronal death in rat cortical culture. METHODS: Cortical neurons were prepared from 1-day old rats, and cultured on the glass-based dishes. Glutamate-induced neuronal death was assessed by staining the cells with propidium iodide. Morphological changes in the neurons were observed with a video-enhanced contrast-differential interference contrast microscope. The intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and the intracellular pH (pHi) were measured by fluorescence imaging with a confocal laser microscope using fluo-3/acetoxymethylester (AM) and 2', 7'-bis-2-carboxy-ethyl-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF)/AM as a fluorescent dye, respectively. RESULTS: SM-20220 (0.3 to 30 nmol/L) dose-dependently attenuated glutamate (300 micromol/L)-induced neuronal death over a period of 6 hours, and inhibited the acute cellular swelling following glutamate (500 micromol/L) exposure. Dual peaks of [Ca2+]i rise were observed at 5 and 12 minutes after glutamate (500 micromol/L) exposure, followed by a persistent rise. SM-20220 suppressed the persistent [Ca2+]i increase. SM-20220 inhibited intracellular acidification following glutamate (500 micromol/L) exposure. All of the events induced by glutamate were also inhibited by the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist, MK-801, indicating the death process was excitotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: NHE inhibitor is neuroprotective through inhibition of both persistent [Ca2+]i increase and acidification in excitotoxicity.