Effect of X-ray irradiation on the neurites growth of primary hippocampal neurons

Objective: To investigate the effect of X-ray irradiation on neurites growth of primary hippocampal neurons in vitro. Methods: Primary hippocampal neuron culture in vitro were irradiated with 0, 2, 4, 8, 10, 12 Gy of X-rays. In the first day and the third day after irradiation, the cell death of primary hippocampal neurons was detected by MTT method, and the morphological changes of primary hippocampal neuronal neurites were detected with immunofluorescence staining method. Results: In the first day and third day after irradiation, the cell death of hippocampal neurons increased significantly (F = 123.068, 43.370, P < 0.05), but there were no significant difference among 4, 8, 10, and 12 Gy irradiation groups. Immunofluorescence staining showed that, in the first day after irradiation, the neurite length and total dendritic branch length (TDBL) were significantly changed (F = 9.169, 7.856, P < 0.05), and in the third day after radiation,the neurite length, TDBL and total dendritic branch tip number (TDBTN) were also altered (F = 23.797, 6.565, 6.021, P < 0.05). Conclusion: X-ray irradiation can inhibit the growth of neurites in the primary hippocampal neurons in vitro. (authors)