Study on the apoptosis of rat hippocampal neurons in primary culture due to sodium arsenite

Objective To observe the effects of arsenic on the apoptosis of rat hippocampal neurons in primary culture.Methods The general microscopic ,flow cytometry and immuno-cell chemistrical technique were used in the experiment.Results The rat hippocampal neurons of primary culture exposed to arsenic showed the characteristic morphological changes of apoptosis,increase in the hight and areas of the sub-diploid pike, confirmed by the flow cytometry technique and the up-regulation of Bax in the cytoplasm.Conclusions The increasing dose and time indicate that arsenic can lead to apoptosis in primary culture of rat hippocampal neurons during some range of dose and time.