Effects of nitric oxide and caspase-3 on dopamine-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM: To investigate the effects of nitric oxide(NO) and caspase-3 on dopamine-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells. METHODS: Flow cytometric assay was used to quantify the apoptotic cells. The morphological of apoptotic cells was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL). Nitrite was quantified by Griess reaction. Inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) mRNA was identified by semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Caspase-3 activity was determined by fluorescent spectrofluorometer. RESULTS: Dopamine induced PC12 cells apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner (0.15-0.60 mmol/L), with positive TUNEL staining. During the development of apoptosis, the expression of iNOS mRNA and the levels of NO increased markedly, so did caspase-3 activity(P