[Protective effect of tert-butylhydroquinone on PC12 cells from neurotoxicity induced by manganese in vitro].

Li Huang-yuan, Wu Si-ying, Lin Wei, Zhou Wen-hua, Zhang Wen-chang, Li Tao, Shi Nian

Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Research Unit for Toxicology and Chemical Safety Assessment, Institution of Environmental and Health, Major Subject of Environment and Health of Fujian Key Universities, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, China.

Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing Za Zhi. 2009 Oct;27(10):597-600.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the protective effect of the tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) on PC12 cells from neurotoxicity induced by manganese.

METHODS

Cytotoxicity of PC12 cells was measured by MTT assay, following the PC12 cells treatment with different concentrations of MnCl₂ (300, 600, 900 μmol/L) for 24, 48 or 72 h. PC12 cells were pretreated with 40 μmol/L tBHQ for 12 h, followed by the treatment of 600 micromol/L or 300 μmol/L MnCl₂ for 72 h. Cytotoxicity of PC12 cells was measured by MTT assay, and cell apoptosis was examined by the method of Annexin V-FITC/PI in flow cytometry (FCM).

RESULTS

The proliferation of PC12 cells treated with 300, 600, 900 μmol/L MnCl2 was suppressed in the dose dependent pattern (P < 0.01). Proliferation of PC12 cells treated with 600 μmol/L MnCl₂ was suppressed to 40% of that in control group (P < 0.01), but the proliferation rate of PC12 cell pretreated with 40 μmol/L tBHQ was 180% of that in control group (P < 0.01). Apoptotic rate of PC12 cells treated with 300 micromol/L MnCl₂ was higher than the vehicle control group (P < 0.01). Apoptotic rate of 40 μmol/L tBHQ pretreatment followed by 300 μmol/L MnCl₂ treatment was lower than that of MnCl2 treatment group (P < 0.01). The inhibition rate of apoptosis was 61%.

CONCLUSIONS

Manganese may suppress PC12 cells proliferation and induce apoptosis. tBHQ can reduce PC12 cells proliferation suppressed by manganese and attenuate the apoptosis induced by manganese.