Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE-1)
and β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) metabolism in primary culture of neurons under high-glucose condition. Methods The cortical
neurons in primary culture under normal and high glucose (60 mmol/L) conditions for 24 h were exposed to 25, 50 and 100
μmol/L NaHS. Aβ1-42 concentration in the cell culture was measured by ELISA, and BACE-1 mRNA and protein levels were
detectedby fluorescent quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results Compared with the neurons
cultured in normal glucose, the neurons exposed to high glucose showed significantly increased Aβ1-42 concentration and
BACE-1 mRNA and protein expressions (P<0.05). Exposure to 25, 50 and 100 μmol/L NaHS significantly decreased Aβ1-42
concentration and BACE-1 mRNA and protein expressions in the high-glucose cell culture (P<0.05). Conclusion Neurons
exposed to high glucose exhibit increased Aβ1-42 levels and BACE-1 mRNA and protein expressions, which can be
concentration-dependently decreased by NaHS.