Effects of quercetin-immobilized albumin cerium oxide nanoparticles on glutamate toxicity: in vitro study.

One aspect of glutamate (Glut) toxicity may be the opening of the blood-brain barrier to albumin (Al), which in itself can cause nerve cell death. Quercetin (Q) is a polyphenolic substance and has a neuroprotective effect. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeONPs) are highly interested in biological applications due to their antioxidant properties. The current study aimed to investigate the impact of Q-immobilized Al+CeONPs in Glut-induced neurotoxicity, mainly focusing on cell viability and neurobiochemical changes. Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of Q-immobilized Al+CeONPs were performed. After preparing the primary neuron culture, it was exposed to Glut to induce neurotoxicity. Then, various doses of CeONP, Al+CeONP, and Q+Al+CeONPs (1, 5, 10, and 25 µg/ml) were applied to the wells and incubated for 24 h. Then, cell viability was determined by MTT analysis. Additionally, oxidative stress parameters were measured. When the obtained data were examined, it was shown that cell viability decreased with Glut concentration but significantly increased with Q+Al+CeONPs treatment. When oxidative stress markers were considered, Glut treatment increased LDH, AChE, and TOS levels, while TAC and GSH levels decreased. However, the trend changed after Q+Al+CeONPs treatment, suggesting that damaged neurons were protected against oxidative stress. The results of this study indicate that Q+Al+CeONP can ameliorate Glut-induced neurotoxicity, especially when used at a dose of 25 µg/ml.