Resveratrol, a plant phytoestrogen, is a prospective therapeutic agent for prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. It passes blood-brain barrier, modulates nerve cells and importantly contributes to the astrocyte function. Neurotrophic factor neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) takes part in survival and differentiation of various nerve cell phenotypes, and contributes to synaptic plasticity. Astrocytes are important local source of NT-3, which synthesis is mediated by several factors. The influence of resveratrol on NT-3 synthesis is not known. Therefore in our work, we wanted to test the phytoestrogen's influence on astrocytic NT-3 synthesis and release. In our study we used primary cell cultures of rat cortical astrocytes. The cells were exposed to the influence of resveratrol, oestrogen receptor agonists and antagonists and several intracellular protein inhibitors. By specific enzyme immunoassay for quantitative NT-3 determination, we determined intracellular NT-3 content and release from astrocytes. Positive influence of resveratrol on NT-3 synthesis is fast but temporal, and dependent from incubation time and concentration of the substance. Most effective is at the 100 nM concentration, which causes a 3-fold increase in intracellular levels of NT-3 after 12-hour of incubation and 2.5-fold increase in NT-3 secretion 12 hours later, in comparison with control cells. With the oestrogen receptor agonists, 17ß-estradiol, PPT or DPN and antagonists ICI 182,780, MPP or PHTPP, we discovered that astrocytic NT-3 synthesis is both, ERα and ERβ, oestrogen receptor subtypes dependent process. Resveratrol causes intracellular Ca2+ elevation and further PKC and CaMKII activation. It also activates PI3K and serin/threonin Akt kinasis and MAP kinase downstream cascade, which is the convergent point of the above mentioned protein cascades. Based on results obtained from our study we conclude that resveratrol effectively promotes synthesis and release of NT-3 in rat cortical astrocytes through specific oestrogen receptor mechanisms. Through astrocytic neurotrophic activity support resveratrol can significantly contribute to synaptic plasticity and central nervous system activity.
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