Potentiation of lead-induced cell death in PC12 cells by glutamate: Protection by N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA), a novel thiol antioxidant

Journal Article · Sun Oct 15 04:00:00 EDT 2006 · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2006.05.002· OSTI ID:20850440

Penugonda, Suman ^[1]; Mare, Suneetha ^[1]; Lutz, P ^[2]; Banks, William A ^[3]; Ercal, Nuran ^[1]

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1. Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri-Rolla, 142 Schrenk Hall, Rolla, MO 65409 (United States)
2. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Rolla, 105 Schrenk Hall, Rolla, MO 65409 (United States)
3. Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Medical Center, St. Louis, MO 64128 (United States)

Oxidative stress has been implicated as an important factor in many neurological diseases. Oxidative toxicity in a number of these conditions is induced by excessive glutamate release and subsequent glutamatergic neuronal stimulation. This, in turn, causes increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, and neuronal damage. Recent studies indicate that the glutamatergic neurotransmitter system is involved in lead-induced neurotoxicity. Therefore, this study aimed to (1) investigate the potential effects of glutamate on lead-induced PC12 cell death and (2) elucidate whether the novel thiol antioxidant N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA) had any protective abilities against such cytotoxicity. Our results suggest that glutamate (1 mM) potentiates lead-induced cytotoxicity by increased generation of ROS, decreased proliferation (MTS), decreased glutathione (GSH) levels, and depletion of cellular adenosine-triphosphate (ATP). Consistent with its ability to decrease ATP levels and induce cell death, lead also increased caspase-3 activity, an effect potentiated by glutamate. Exposure to glutamate and lead elevated the cellular malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and phospholipase-A{sub 2} (PLA{sub 2}) activity and diminished the glutamine synthetase (GS) activity. NACA protected PC12 cells from the cytotoxic effects of glutamate plus lead, as evaluated by MTS assay. NACA reduced the decrease in the cellular ATP levels and restored the intracellular GSH levels. The increased levels of ROS and MDA in glutamate-lead treated cells were significantly decreased by NACA. In conclusion, our data showed that glutamate potentiated the effects of lead-induced PC12 cell death by a mechanism involving mitochondrial dysfunction (ATP depletion) and oxidative stress. NACA had a protective role against the combined toxic effects of glutamate and lead by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and scavenging ROS, thus preserving intracellular GSH.

• OSTI ID: 20850440
• Journal Information: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Journal Name: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 216; ISSN TXAPA9; ISSN 0041-008X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ANTIOXIDANTS
APOPTOSIS
ATP
BIOLOGICAL STRESS
DAMAGE
DISEASES
GLUTAMINE
GLUTATHIONE
LEAD
LIGASES
LIPIDS
SAFETY
THIOLS
TOXICITY