The protective effects of liraglutide on AD-like neurodegeneration induced by oxidative stress in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) has neuroprotective properties in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, our aim is to explore the neuroprotective effects of liraglutide, a GLP-1 analogue, on AD-like neurodegeneration induced by H2O2 in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Cytotoxicity was determined by MTT assay and lactate dehydrogenase level was monitored by LDH assay. The level of lipid peroxidation and cell apoptosis rate were measured by malondialdehyde (MDA) assay and Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) staining. Western blotting was used to assess the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, tau and the Akt/GSK-3β. Liraglutide pre-treatment enhanced cell viability with reduced cytotoxicity, lipid peroxidationand and apoptosis. In addition, pre-treatment of liraglutide displayed that increased the expression of the pro-survival Bcl-2 and reduced pro-apoptotic Bax with ameliorated the hyperphosphorylation of tau and Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway in H2O2 stressed SH-SY5Y cells. These finding provided evidences that liraglutide protected the H2O2 induced AD-like neurodegeneration through improving Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway. These results suggest that liraglutide may have potential values for the treatment for AD. •Liraglutide improves the cell viability and attenuates oxidative damage.•Liraglutide pre-treatment protects against H2O2 induced apoptosis.•Liraglutide ameliorates the hyperphosphorylated tau of SH-SY5Y cells.•Liraglutide improves the Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathways.