Aspartame-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells

Aspartame is an artificial sweetner added to many low-calorie foods. The safety of aspartame remains controversial even though there are many studies on its risks. In this study, to understand the physiological effects of trace amounts of artificial sweetners on cells, the effects of aspartame on apoptosis were investigated using a PC12 cell system. In addition, the mechanism of apoptosis induced by aspartame in PC12 cells and effects on apoptotic factors such as cytochrome c, apoptosis-inducing factor, and caspase family proteins were studied by Western blotting and RT-PCR.Aspartame-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, aspartame exposure increased the expressions of caspases 8 and 9, and cytochrome c. These results indicate that aspartame induces apoptosis mainly via mitochondrial pathway involved in apoptosis due to oxigen toxicity.     

天麻素通过抑制细胞凋亡保护谷氨酸诱导的PC12细胞损伤

目的：研究天麻素（Gastrodin）对谷氨酸诱导的大鼠肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤PC12细胞损伤的影响及可能机制。方法：以谷氨酸建立体外培养PC12细胞损伤模型并采用MTT比色法测定细胞存活率;AO/EB双染法经荧光显微镜观察细胞凋亡形态;采用流式细胞术检测细胞内活性氧含量以及Annexin V/PI染色后的细胞凋亡率;Western blot法检测细胞内Caspase-3蛋白表达。结果：天麻素可明显抑制谷氨酸诱导的PC12细胞凋亡,在0.1～10μmol/L剂量呈一定的量效关系;同时,天麻素可明显抑制谷氨酸引起的活性氧（ROS）的累积,降低谷氨酸诱导的活性Caspase-3蛋白的表达,降低PC12细胞的凋亡率,在0.1～10μmol/L剂量呈量效相关性。结论：在一定剂量范围内,天麻素对谷氨酸损伤的PC12细胞具有保护作用,其机制可能与减少ROS的生成,阻止氧化损伤的发生,抑制Caspase-3途径依赖的细胞凋亡相关。     

Mechanism of apoptosis induced by copper in PC12 cells

Copper, an essential trace element, induces apoptosis in mammalian cells. However, the precise mechanism of copper-induced apoptosis is still unclear. In this study, to determine the apoptotic pathway initiated by copper treatment, apoptotic factors such as Bax, Bad and Bcl-2, and the caspase family in PC12 cells treated with copper were measured by Western blot and RT-PCR analyses. The expression of Bax, Bad, cytochrome c and caspases 3 and 9 were increased by copper treatment. From these results, two pathways for copper-induced apoptosis were suggested. At first, an increase of Bax induces the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytoplasm owing to binding to apoptotic activating caspase 9 leading to the activation of caspases 3. In the other pathway an increase of Bax and reactive oxygen species activates the release of AIF from the mitochondria. The AIF induces apoptosis via a caspase-independent pathway.     

Oxidative mechanisms contribute to nanosize silican dioxide-induced developmental neurotoxicity in PC12 cells

Neurotoxicity was investigated in nano-SiO₂-treated cultured PC12 cells, an in vitro neuronal cell model, in order to define a relatively safe dose range for its application. The following were observed in the present study: (1) A dose-dependent increase in the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with a corresponding decrease in the level of glutathione (R² = 0.965) suggesting 20- and 50-nm SiO₂-induced free radical generation and glutathione depletion. (2) A dose- and time-dependent decrease in cell viability that was associated with elevation of ROS level, especially after 24-h nano-SiO₂ exposure (R² = 0.965), suggesting the role of oxidative stress on nano-SiO₂ induced cell death. (3) An increase in the level of thiobarbituric-acid reactive species that correlated reversely with cell viability of the PC12 cells treated with nano-SiO₂ (R² = 0.945) suggesting nano-SiO₂-induced membrane damage caused by lipid peroxidation. (4) A dose-dependent increase in sub-G1 population in SiO₂-exposed cells along with cell shrinkage and nuclear condensation from morphological examination suggesting nano-SiO₂-induced cell apoptosis. Furthermore, nano-SiO₂ exposure diminished the ability of neurite extension in response to nerve growth factor in treated PC12 cells. In summary, SiO₂ nanoparticle exposure resulted in dose-dependent neurotoxicity in cultured PC12 cells that was probably associated with oxidative stress and induced apoptosis.     

Comparative toxicity and apoptosis induced by diorganotins in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells

As ubiquitous environmental toxicants, organotin (IV) compounds (OTC) accumulate in the food chain and potential effects on human health are disquieting. The present study compared the cytotoxicity of three diorganotins, namely, dimethyltin (DMT), dibutyltin (DBT) and diphenyltin (DPT), in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells, and the molecular mechanisms responsible for their cytotoxic effects were also explored. Twenty-four hours exposure of PC12 cells to DBT and DPT resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in cell viability with median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of 2.97 μM and 7.24 μM, respectively. However, DMT at concentrations up to 128 μM had no obvious effect on cell viability. The mechanistic study revealed that the extent of apoptosis was greater for DBT than that for DPT, followed by DMT, as evidenced by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) fluorescent staining method and annexin V-FITC/PI staining flow cytometry analysis, as well as generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) disruption, release of cytochrome c (Cyt c), and consequent activation of caspase-9, and -3. These investigations suggested that the cytotoxic potency of three diorganotins in PC12 cells was in the order of DBT > DPT ≫ DMT, and these compounds could induce PC12 cells apoptosis through ROS mediated mitochondrial pathway.     

Alpha-mangostin induces Ca2+-ATPase-dependent apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway in PC12 cells

We investigated the cell death effects of eight xanthones on PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells. Among these compounds, alpha-mangostin, from the fruit hull of Garcinia mangostana L., had the most potent effect with the EC(50) value of 4 microM. Alpha-mangostin-treated PC12 cells demonstrated typical apoptotic DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 cleavage (equivalent to activation). The flow cytometric analysis indicated that this compound induced apoptosis in time-and concentration-dependent manners. Alpha-mangostin showed the features of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway such as mitochondrial membrane depolarization and cytochrome c release. Furthermore, alpha-mangostin inhibited the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase markedly. There was a correlation between the Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitory effects and the apoptotic effects of the xanthone derivatives. On the other hand, c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK/SAPK), one of the signaling molecules of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, was activated with alpha-mangostin treatment. These results suggest that alpha-mangostin inhibits Ca(2+)-ATPase to cause apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway.     

Deoxynivalenol inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a stable mycotoxins found in cereals infected by certain fungal species and causes adverse health effects in animals and human such as vomiting, diarrhea and reproductive toxicity. In this study, we investigated the toxic and apoptotic effects of DON in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), a good model for studying inflammation. The results show that DON significantly inhibited the viability of HUVECs. DON could also inhibit the proliferation of HUVECs through G2/M phase arrest in cell cycle progression. Moreover, oxidative stress induced by DON was indicated by observations of increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, DON also causes mitochondrial damage by decreasing the mitochondrial membrane potential and inducing apoptosis by up-regulation of apoptosis-related genes like caspase-3, caspase-9, and Bax genes, and down-regulation of Bcl-2 gene. These results together suggest that DON could induce cell cycle arrest, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in HUVECs.     

Neuroprotective effects of chlorogenic acid against apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by methylmercury

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) widely exists in edible and medicinal plants. We aimed to evaluate the effect of CGA on the protection from apoptosis by methylmercury (MeHg) in PC12 cells. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. Apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometry detection. Caspase-3 activity was measured by confocal microscopy. Intracellular GSH levels were determined by bicinchoninic acid protein assay. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assessed by means of chloromethyl-dihydrodichlorofluorescein diacetate. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was determined by UV. In order to elucidate the action of CGA, the protective effects of CGA were compared to Vit.E. CGA was effective at protecting PC12 cells against MeHg-induced damage in dose-dependent manner. CGA not only suppressed the generation of ROS, the decrease of activity in GPx and the decrease of GSH, but also attenuated caspase-3 activation in PC12 cells by MeHg. CGA eventually protected PC12 cells against MeHg-induced apoptosis. The results highlighted that CGA may exert neuroprotective effects through its antioxidant actions.     

海风藤对氯化钴诱导PC12细胞凋亡的保护作用

目的研究海风藤对氯化钴(CoCl2)诱导的PC12细胞凋亡的分子机制,从而确定海风藤对缺氧诱导的神经细胞凋亡的保护作用。方法设立海风藤保护组,CoCl2诱导组和正常细胞对照组;倒置相差显微镜观察细胞形态变化,四甲基偶氮噻唑蓝法(MTT)检测细胞存活率,分光光度法检测培养基中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)含量和活性氧(ROS)生成量水平变化;化学发光法检测细胞三磷酸腺苷(ATP)生成量和Caspase-3表达量的变化;RT-PCR法检测凋亡相关基因bcl-xl的表达。结果海风藤预保护的PC12细胞在CoCl2诱导后,与CoCl2诱导组相比,细胞形态有明显改善,细胞存活率显著上升,由28.7%变为65.1%(P<0.01);培养基中LDH含量和ROS生成量明显下降,相应吸光度分别由29.8和18.3变为18.33及7.8(P<0.01);细胞ATP释放量明显增加,保护组为诱导组的1.2倍(P<0.01);基因bcl-xl表达上升;Caspase-3在细胞凋亡中的活性被抑制,保护组为诱导组的81%(P<0.01)。结论海风藤能通过抑制氧化应激损伤对线粒体功能破坏,增强bcl-xl的表达,抑制Caspase-3激活等机制提高细胞存活率,达到抑制CoCl2诱导PC12细胞凋亡作用。     

多巴胺诱导PC12细胞凋亡与多巴胺黑素生成的关系

目的　探讨多巴胺黑素 (dopamine melanin ,DA M )的生成在多巴胺 (dopamine ,DA)诱导神经元凋亡中的意义。方法　以PC12细胞为多巴胺能神经元的细胞模型 ,采用透射电镜和流式细胞仪 (flowcytometry ,FCM )观察细胞凋亡 ,紫外 -可见光分光光度计检测DA M。结果　DA可诱导PC12细胞凋亡 ,DA M的生成与DA诱导的PC12细胞凋亡之间呈正相关关系。结论　DA M的生成量在DA诱导神经细胞凋亡具有重要作用     

Effects of tributyltin chloride on L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells

Tributyltin chloride (TBTC) at concentrations of 0.5-1.0 microM inhibits dopamine biosynthesis in PC12 cells. In this study, the effects of TBTC on L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA)-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells were investigated. TBTC at concentrations up to 1.0 microM neither affected cell viability, nor induced apoptosis after 24 or 48 h in PC12 cells. However, TBTC at concentrations higher than 2.0 microM caused cytotoxicity through an apoptotic process. In addition, exposure of PC12 cells to non-cytotoxic (0.5 and 1.0 microM) or cytotoxic (2.0 microM) concentrations of TBTC in combination with L-DOPA (20, 50 and 100 microM) resulted in a significant increase in cell loss and the percentage of apoptotic cells after 24 or 48 h compared with TBTC or L-DOPA alone. The enhancing effects of TBTC on L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity were concentration- and treatment time-dependent. These data demonstrate that TBTC enhances L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC 12 cells.     

Stevioside enhances apoptosis induced by serum deprivation in PC12 cells

In the laboratory, using a PC12 cell system, studies have been conducted on the effects of various chemicals on apoptosis, as it is considered to be an essential part of normal development, maintenance, and defense in organisms. Stevioside is a natural sweetener extracted from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana. Since it is widely used as a sugar replacement, it was decided to evaluate the toxicological effects of low concentrations of stevioside on apoptosis induced by serum deprivation using the PC12 cell system. It was found that based on data from DNA electrophoresis and TUNEL signal assays stevioside enhanced apoptosis induced by serum deprivation. This enhancement was caused by increased expression of Bax and of cytochrome c released into the cytosol. These findings suggest that stevioside affects the regulation of the normal apoptotic condition. Further investigation will be needed to clarify the detailed mechanism of the enhancement due to the treatment with stevioside.     

氧化应激致PC12细胞凋亡的信号传导途径的研究进展

PC12细胞被广泛用于神经细胞功能、分化、凋亡和神经递质分泌,以及潜在的分子机制的研究。氧化应激可导致PC12细胞凋亡,其作用方式为激活对氧化还原反应敏感的细胞信号传导,主要与丝裂原活化蛋白激酶、线粒体凋亡及NF-κB信号传导途径有关。本文综述了氧化应激致PC12细胞凋亡的信号传导途径,旨在为神经系统氧化应激相关疾病的抗氧化剂药物治疗和凋亡信号途径药物干预治疗提供理论依据。     

锰对PC12细胞毒性作用的研究

目的研究不同剂量的锰(Mn)对PC12细胞生长增殖的影响。方法体外培养大鼠嗜铬细胞瘤PC12细胞,以100~900μmol/L MnCl2染毒后进行四唑盐比色实验(MTT)观察MnCl2对细胞的抑制作用,TUNEL法观察细胞凋亡,Western blot检测α-共核蛋白(-αSYN)表达情况。结果MTT结果显示100~900μmol/L MnCl2对细胞的生长增殖有显著的抑制作用(P<0.01)。TUNEL染色结果显示MnCl2处理组TUNEL阳性细胞增多(P<0.05)。Western blot结果显示与对照组相比,100、300、500μmol/L MnCl2组-αSYN表达水平分别升高1.8、4.5、7.3倍(P<0.05)。结论一定剂量的MnCl2对PCl2细胞的生长增殖有明显的抑制作用,这一作用可能是通过诱导胞内-αSYN表达增高实现的。提示预防、阻止α-SYN在细胞中的聚集可能会降低Mn对多巴胺能神经细胞的损伤。     

氯化钴诱导PC12细胞凋亡的分子机制

目的确定氯化钴(CoCl2)诱导PC12细胞凋亡的分子机制。方法500μmolLCoCl2诱导PC12细胞24h后,检测活性氧(ROS)生成量的变化以及抗氧化剂N乙酰半胱氨酸(NAC)、二硫代苏糖醇(DTT)对细胞存活率和ROS生成量的影响;琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测NAC、DTT对CoCl2诱导PC12细胞DNA片段化的影响;利用RTPCR法检测凋亡相关基因bclxl和bax在PC12细胞调亡过程中的表达及NAC、DTT对基因表达的影响;化学发光法检测NAC、DTT对Caspase3表达的作用。结果在CoCl2诱导PC12细胞凋亡中,ROS生成量明显上升,为正常时的2.92倍;NAC、DTT可提高细胞存活率,由53.1%上升为94.8%和92.3%(P<0.01),并有效抑制ROS的生成,为正常时的24.2%和82.1%(P<0.01);同时抑制DNA片段化的发生。bclxl在细胞凋亡过程中表达明显下降,bax表达无明显变化;NAC和DTT可使bclxl的表达明显上升。Caspase3在细胞凋亡中被激活,NAC、DTT可抑制Caspase3的表达(P<0.01)。结论ROS介导了CoCl2诱导的PC12细胞凋亡,这一过程与抑制bclxl表达,激活Caspase3有关。     

Scutellarin protects PC12 cells from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis

The present study investigated the effects of scutellarin on oxidative stress-induced cell apoptosis in PC12 cells. Exposure of cells to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) triggered a typical apoptosis, as evidenced by DNA fragmentation, DNA loss and externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS). This treatment also caused significant elevation of oxidative stress characterized by intracellular accumulations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), a product of lipid peroxidation. Preincubation of cells with scutellarin significantly inhibited the fragmentation and loss of DNA, the externalization of PS, and decreased the percentage of cell apoptosis. Also, intracellular accumulations of ROS and MDA resulting from H₂O₂ exposure were significantly reduced by scutellarin. These findings suggest that scutellarin exerts significant protection against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis, which might be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress-mediated disorders.     

Scutellarin protects PC12 cells from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis

The present study investigated the effects of scutellarin on oxidative stress-induced cell apoptosis in PC12 cells. Exposure of cells to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) triggered a typical apoptosis, as evidenced by DNA fragmentation, DNA loss and externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS). This treatment also caused significant elevation of oxidative stress characterized by intracellular accumulations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), a product of lipid peroxidation. Preincubation of cells with scutellarin significantly inhibited the fragmentation and loss of DNA, the externalization of PS, and decreased the percentage of cell apoptosis. Also, intracellular accumulations of ROS and MDA resulting from H₂O₂ exposure were significantly reduced by scutellarin. These findings suggest that scutellarin exerts significant protection against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis, which might be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress-mediated disorders.     

一氧化氮诱导PC12细胞凋亡及芍药苷的保护作用

目的:探讨一氧化氮诱导PC12细胞凋亡及芍药苷保护作用的可能机制.方法:MTT和乳酸脱氢酶活性测定细胞存活率,DNA凝胶电泳观察DNA的断裂情况,流式细胞仪测定细胞凋亡率、检测线粒体跨膜电位.结果:500 μmol·L-1 硝普钠(SNP)可诱导PC12细胞凋亡,细胞线粒体跨膜电位明显下降.预先经过 0.1、1和10 μmol·L-1 等浓度芍药苷处理后, SNP诱导的PC12细胞凋亡明显减少,同时明显减弱一氧化氮对线粒体跨膜电位的影响.结论:芍药苷可抑制一氧化氮诱导PC12细胞凋亡,其作用机制可能与其稳定细胞线粒体跨膜电位有关.     

地昔帕明对皮质酮诱导培养的PC12细胞调亡的拮抗作用(英文)

目的:探讨三环类抗抑郁剂的作用机制.方法:运用DNA电泳法、流式细胞仪法、电镜法检测了皮质酮诱导的PC12细胞凋亡并观察了去甲丙米嗪(DIM)的效应 结果:皮质酮10μmol/L处理5d可显著诱导PC12细胞凋亡,凋亡发生率最高达(28±9)％,DNA电泳图谱则表现出典型的梯状条带,DIM的1和5μmol/L使凋亡发生率明显降低并使梯状条带变浅、减轻,细胞的超微结构也有明显改善.结论:DIM对皮质酮诱导的PC12细胞凋亡有拮抗作用,这可能是其抗抑郁效应的细胞机制之一.