TEMPOL protects human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells against ß-amyloid-induced cell toxicity

Amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It can cause cell death in Alzheimer's disease by evoking a cascade of oxidative damage to neurons. Antioxidant compounds may help to elucidate and develop a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of TEMPOL (4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy), a cyclic nitroxide which is particularly effective at reducing oxidative injury, on Aβ1–42-induced SH-SY5Y cell toxicity. Exposure of cells to 20 μM Aβ1–42 for 48 h caused viability loss and apoptotic increase, and pre-treatment with TEMPOL for 24 h significantly reduced the viability loss and apoptotic rate. In addition, TEMPOL inhibited Aβ1–42-induced superoxide anion generation and hydroxyl radical generation to a striking degree. Based on these results, it is concluded that TEMPOL effectively protects SH-SY5Y cells against β-amyloid-induced damage by suppressing the generation of reactive oxygen species especially, superoxide anion.