α7 Nicotinic receptor mediated protection against ethanol-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells

Ethanol caused a concentration-dependent loss of PC12 cells over a 24 h interval, accompanied by an increase in intracellular calcium. The specific alpha 7 nicotinic receptor partial agonist DMXB attenuated both of these ethanol-induced actions at a concentration (3 mu M) found previously to protect against apoptotic and necrotic cell loss. The alpha 7 nicotinic receptor antagonist methylylaconitine blocked the neuroprotective action of DMXB when applied with but not 30 min after the agonist. These results indicate that activation of alpha 7 nicotinic receptors may be therapeutically useful in preventing ethanol-neurotoxicity. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.