Full Length Research Paper

Fraction V of bovine albumin improves the adherence and survival of adult rat cerebral cortex neurons in primary culture

Y.-F. Zhang^1,2,3, Y. Yong², X. He⁴, X.-H. Cheng¹, Q.-D. Yang²* and X.-Q. HU¹*

¹Department of Neurology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, GuangZhou, Guangdong, People’s

Republic of China.

²Institute of Neuroscience, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China.

³Department of Neurology, GuangZhou brain Hospital, GuangZhou, Guangdong, People’s republic of China.

⁴HuNan Environment Biological Polytechnic College, HuNan, People’s republic of China.

*Corresponding author. E-mail zhangyuefeng1967@yahoo.com.cn. Tel: 86- 0731-4327330. Fax: 86-0731-4327332.

Abbreviations: AD, Alzheimer’s disease; NGF, nerve growth factor; MTT, 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide.

Accepted 2 December, 2008

Primary embryonic or young neuronal cells are used to study physiology or pathology of neurons. However, they are not optimal as a model for age-related changes in physiology or late-onset disease. Successful culturing of neurons from adult animals, however, has been historically difficult. Because the attack of anoxia and mechanical/chemical force in the course of the single neuron separated from the brain, the adult neocortex neurons may be edema. Since albumin can reduce edema and absorb toxic, we therefore hypothesized that albumin should improve the neuron survival in vitro. Here, we report that 0.2-0.5% albumin can accelerate neurons adherence to dish bottom, increase the attached cells number, and improve the viability. Our results indicate that fraction V of albumin is an effective supplier for neocortex neurons culture in vitro.

Key words: Adult, neocortex, primary culture, fraction V of bovine albumin.