Abstract: Objective To observe the protective effect of folic acid and vitamin B12 on human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y cell growth in vitro. Methods SH-SY5Y cells cultured in vitro, divided into control group, the folic acid(1.875 mg/L) group, vitamin B12 (800 μg/L) group, folic acid (1.875 mg/L) + vitamin B12(800 μg/L) group. Cell morphology, cell count analysis, thiazolyl blue(MTT) metabolic rate, and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) leakage rate of each group were detected. Results Compared with the control group, cell count and MTT metabolic rate of folic acid group, vitamin B12 group, folic acid+vitamin B12 group increased(P<0.05), and LDH leakage rate decreased(P<0.05). Compared with the control group, cell morphology were much better in those groups, cell body more plump, the number of surviving cells increased, adherence was good and neurite extension could be found. Conclusion Folic acid and vitamin B12 can promote nerve cell growth, reduce nerve cell death, in order to achieve the protection of neurons.

Key words: folic acid, vitamin B12, human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y