Home General Physiology and Biophysics 2008 General Physiology and Biophysics Vol.27, p.306-314, 2008

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Founded: 1982
ISSN 1338-4325 (online)
ISSN 0231-5882 (print)
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General Physiology and Biophysics Vol.27, p.306-314, 2008

Title: Cytotoxic effects of catechol to neuroblastoma N2a cells
Author: Rute M. F. Lima, Lisandro D. G. Alvarez, Maria F. D. Costa, Silvia L. Costa, Jorge Clarêncio and Ramon S. El-Bachá
Abstract: The mechanisms of catechol-induced cytotoxicity were studied in cultures of neuroblastoma N2a cells. The minimal cytotoxic concentration after 72 h was 20 µmol·l–1. The EC50 after 72 h was 38 µmol·l–1. There was not a correlation between the cytotoxicity and the formation of quinones in the medium. Catechol-induced cytotoxicity was increased significantly when superoxide dismutase (SOD) was added. The addition of catalase did not protect cells, but this enzyme reverted the deleterious effect of SOD. The experimental studies showed a detrimental effect of deferoxamine on catechol-induced cytotoxicity suggesting that cells need iron to maintain its metabolism. NF-κB inhibitors increased the cytotoxicity, suggesting that this factor is also important for cell viability. L-cysteine and N-acetyl-L-cysteine protected cells significantly in a dose-dependent manner. The use of monochlorobimane showed that catechol induced reduced glutathione (GSH) depletion after 24 h, prior to cell death. The mode of cell death was studied by flow cytometry after double staining with annexin V and propidium iodide. Catechol induced apoptosis after 72 h. Furthermore, catechol also induced nuclear fragmentation. These data showed that catechol-induced cytotoxicity to N2a cell was not directly a consequence of reactive oxygen species production. Rather, it was due to GSH depletion followed by the induction of apoptosis.
Keywords: Apoptosis — Catechol — Cytotoxicity — Glutathione — Neuroblastoma
Year: 2008, Volume: 27, Issue: 4 Page From: 306, Page To: 314


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