L-dopa induction of pheochromocytoma 12 cells apoptosis and the protective function of glutathione

AIM:To study the induction of apoptosis of pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell by L - dopa and the clinical significance. METHODS: Using PC12 cells as the medel of dopaminergic neurons,in addition to electron microscopy, agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry, the apoptosis ratio by L - dopa and the effect of antioxi- dant glutathione on PC12 cells were observed. RESULTS: Treabent of PC12 cells with L - dopa in concentrations of 50 μmol/L, 100μmol/L and 150 μmol/L respectively for 24 hours, results revealed that the apoptosis ratio was 12.8%, 24.4%, 37.2%, respectively, which is in cobant with fragment pragment propartions of agarose gel electrophoresis, mere higher than that of control(2.3% ) (P < 0.01 ). The apoptosis ratio of glutathione + L - dopa group was similar to that of control (P > 0.05). CONCLUTION: Induction of apoptosis by L - dopa could be inhibited by glutathione, and oxidative damage may be involved in the pathophysiology of dopaminergic neurons death after long - term treat- ment of L - dopa.