目的探讨α-硫辛酸(LA)促进神经突触生长的可能机制。方法将体外培养的小鼠神经母细胞瘤N2a细胞分为对照组(A组)、细胞外信号调节蛋白激酶(ERK)抑制剂PD98059 40μM组(B组)、LA 500μM组(C组)和PD98059 40μM+LA 500μM组(D组)。用光学显微镜观察细胞突触生长情况,Western blot法检测ERK表达水平。结果与A组相比,C组突触生长、ERK激活水平增加(P<0.01);而D组能明显抑制C组上述观察指标的增加过程(P<0.01)。结论 LA对神经细胞突触生长的促进作用可能是通过激活ERK依赖性信号通路来实现的。 Objective To investigate the possible mechanism of α-lipoic acid (LA) promoting the synaptic growth. Methods N2a cells were divided into control group (A group), PD98059 40μM inhibitor group (B group), LA 500μM group (C group) and PD98059 40μM + LA 500μM group (D group). The synaptic growth of the cells was observed by light microscopy. The expression of ERK was detected by Western blot. Results Compared with group A, synaptic growth and ERK activation were increased in group C (P <0.01), while group D significantly inhibited the increase of the above indexes in group C (P <0.01). Conclusion The promoting effect of LA on the synaptic growth of nerve cells may be through the activation of ERK-dependent signaling pathway.