Korean J Physiol Pharmacol.  2003 Dec;7(6):325-331.

Involvement of Oxidative Stress and Poly (ADP-ribose) Polymerase Activation in 3-Nitropropionic Acid-induced Cytotoxicity in Human Neuroblastoma Cells

• Nam E
• Lee YJ
• Oh YA
• Jung JA
• Im HI
• Koh SE
• Maeng S
• Joo WS
• Kim YS

Abstract

3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NP) inhibits electron transport in mitochondria, leading to a metabolic failure. In order to elucidate the mechanism underlying this toxicity, we examined a few biochemical changes possibly involved in the process, such as metabolic inhibition, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA strand breakage, and activation of Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Exposure of SK-N-BE (2) C neuroblastoma cells to 3-NP for 48 h caused actual cell death, while inhibition of mitochondrial function was readily observed when exposed for 24 h to low concentrations (0.2~2 mM) of 3-NP. The earliest biochemical change detected with low concentration of 3-NP was an accumulation of ROS (4 h after 3-NP exposure) followed by degradation of DNA. PARP activation by damaged DNA was also detectable, but at a later time. The accumulation of ROS and DNA strand breakage were suppressed by the addition of glutathione or N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), which also partially restored mitochondrial function and cell viability. In addition, inhibition of PARP also reduced the 3-NP-induced DNA strand breakage and cytotoxicity. These results suggest that oxidative stress and activation of PARP are the major factors in 3-NP-induced cytotoxicity, and that the inhibition of these factors may be useful in protecting neuroblastoma cells from 3-NP-induced toxicity.

Keyword

3-Nitropropionic acid; Cytotoxicity; Oxidative stress; DNA damage; Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase; 3-Aminobenzamide

MeSH Terms

Acetylcysteine
Cell Death
Cell Survival
DNA
DNA Damage
Electron Transport
Glutathione
Humans*
Mitochondria
Neuroblastoma*
Oxidative Stress*
Reactive Oxygen Species
Acetylcysteine
DNA
Glutathione
Reactive Oxygen Species