Effect of genistein on ammonia-induced NF-κB activation in astrocytes

AIM: To explore the effect of genistein on ammonia-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and the underlying mechanism.METHODS: Primary astrocyte cultures were prepared and challenged with NH₄Cl to establish a hyperammonemic model. The activation of ERK, Akt and NF-κB was examined by Western blot.RESULTS: AG1478 and genistein significantly inhibited ammonia-induced activation of ERK and Akt. Ammonia-induced NF-κB nuclear translocation was significantly inhibited by the pretreatment of LY294002, genistein and AG1478.CONCLUSION: Genistein significantly inhibited ammonia-induced ERK activation and Akt-mediated NF-κB activation, which might represent the important mechanism by which this naturally occurring substance exerts its swelling-inhibiting effect.