TF and neuroblastoma: As previously described in rat neuroblastoma cells [27], deprivation of transferrin, one of the major iron transport protein in the blood [28], selenium, an essential nutrient with antioxidant properties [29], as well as putrescine, a drug with growth-stimulatory properties [27], resulted in about 70 % of hippocampal neuronal cell death as monitored 3 days later using MTT and NR colorimetric assays.