Abstract: Objective To investigate the protective effects of aspirin on hypoxic brain neural cells of rat，and the effects of extracellular calcium on the neuroprotective effect of aspirin．Methods The hypoxic cell model was established by adding Na2S2O4 to the calcium or calcium free medium. Cultured primary cortical neurons of rat were pretreated with ASA in vitro．The change of intracellular free calcium and neuroglobin (NGB) were observed and analyzed by laser scanning confocal microscope. Results The expression level of [Ca2+]i and NGB increased significantly in the chemical hypoxia group（P＜0.05）．ASA can attenuate the increase of [Ca2+]i and NGB in the hypoxic group and calcium-free hypoxia group（P＜0.05）．Conclusion Aspirin can inhibit calcium overload and inhibit the hypoxia-induced expression of NGB, and protect rat brain cells．

Key words: aspirin, brain cell, primary cell culture, intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), neuroglobin