- Chen Yi Xia: School of Life Science of East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.
Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) were isolated from newborn rat olfactory bulb and cultured in vitro. RT-PCR was used to determine the expression of galanin and it's receptors in these cells. MTT analysis was used to detect the effects of galanin and agonist, antagonist of galanin receptors on the proliferation of OECs. Results show that OECs express mRNAs for galanin and GalR2 but not for two another receptors, GalR1 and GalR3. In addition, galanin and two receptor agonists, GAL1-11 and GAL2-11, can significantly inhibit the proliferation of OECs. But the influence can be blocked by M35, nonspecific antagonist of galanin receptors.