Protective effect of XY99-5038 on hydrogen peroxide induced cell death in cultured retinal neurons
Authors: D Wolf
Y T Fong
Y Xin
W Cao
G Wolf
Journal: Life Sciences (2001)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: XY99-5038; Traditional Chinese Medicine; neurons; degeneration; retinal neuronal culture
Affiliations: The Institute of Chongchi Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongchi, Sichuang, People's Republic of China.

Abstract:  XY99-5038 is a preparation from a specific formula provided by Dr. Yan Xin, a renowned Traditional Chinese Medicine specialist. This formulation has proven to be effective without side effects but has not been studied under rigorous laboratory conditions. In order to investigate the role of XY99-5038 in protecting neurons from degeneration, we used retinal neuronal culture as a model system to study the protective effects of XY99-5038 against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced cytotoxicity. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a potent neurotrophic factor, was employed as comparable agent. Retinas of 0-2 days old Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated, dissociated, and the neurons maintained for 2 weeks in a synthetic serum-free media. Cytotoxicity was determined by MTT (3,(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) and LDH (Lactate dehydrogenase) assays, whereas apoptotic cell death was evaluated by the TUNEL (TdT-mediated digoxigenin-dUTP nick-end labeling) assay. Treatment with H2O2 significantly induced death of retinal neurons. Pretreatment with XY99-5038 prior to insult greatly inhibited or attenuated H2O2 induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis. These effects were shown to be dose-dependent. Our data also show that the protective effect of XY99-5038 is more potent than that of bFGF. Our data suggest that XY99-5038 could be a potential agent in the treatment of disorders associated with oxidative damage. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Concern about Figure 3. * The large white structure (vein?) in panel A (control rats) appears to be visible as well in panel E SFN treated rats), albeit rotated 180 degrees. Shown in lime green. * Part of he large white structure in panel B appears to be visible as well in panel C , albeit rotated 180 degrees. Shown in blue. * Panel C appears to be showing repetitive features. Could the authors please explain what happened here?  , 
 Concern about Figure 4 * Panels B and C appear to show a large area of overlap if one of the panels is rotated 180 degrees. Shown with orange boxes.  , 
 #1 In Figure 3, it is instructive to rotate (c) through 180 deg for comparison with (b).  , 
 #1  The large white structure (vein?) in panel A (control rats) appears to be visible as well in panel E SFN treated rats), albeit rotated 180 degrees. That s just lazy.  , 
 #4 Now I feel bad that it took me so long to compare Figs 3 *[left]* and 4 *[right]*, and notice that 3B *[here rotated through 180]*, 3C and 4D all overlap. 3 and 4 supposedly illustrate staining with different antibodies.  , 
 #5 Figure 3E has further treats in store, which add to the oeuvre of this group. Arrows indicate some of the more prominent  fault lines that abound in the image, along with the jagged edges of the white space. I have also copied a few little surprises we might call the  bugs and the  ghost rat . It would be most interesting if the authors could provide any of the source images for this freshly-minted paper.  ,