Abstract: AIM: To study the effect of estrogen on injury induced by β-amyloid protein (Aβ) in primary cultures of rat cortical neurons.METHODS: The effect of 17β-E2 on Aβ(25-35)-induced cell death in primary rat cortical neurons was observed by phase contrast light microscopy, Giemsa staining and determination of lactate dehydrohenase (LDH) release rate.RESULTS: Aβ(25-35) induced cell death in rat primary cortical neurons. Forty eight hours pretreatment with 17β-E2 protected rat primary cortical neurons from Aβ(25-35)-induced injury.CONCLUSION: Aβ evokes toxicity in rat primary cortical neurons.Estrogen can protect the rat primary cortical neurons against injury induced by Aβ (25-35).

Key words: estrogen, β-amyloid protein;, neuronal culture, rats, Alzheimer's disease