Nicorandil inhibits oxidative stress and amyloid-β precursor protein processing in SH-SY5Y cells overexpressing APPsw.

It has been demonstrated that ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel activation has neuroprotective effects against neuronal damage induced by hypoxia, ischemia or metabolism stress. This study investigated the multiply protective effects of KATP channel opener nicorandil against neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells transiently transfected with Swedish mutant APP (APPsw) and also the potential involvement of PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway. Cells were treated with nicorandil (1 mM) for 24 h with and without glibenclamide (10 μM), a KATP channel inhibitor.