Effects of H2O2 on apoptosis of skeletal muscle satellite cell and mitochondrial membrane potential

AIM: To observe the effects of H2O2 on apoptosis of skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSC)and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and protective effect of erythropoietin(EPO). METHODS: SMSC in vitro were divided into three groups: H2O2 group, H2O2+EPO group and control. Apoptosis rate and the means were obverted by monofluorescence flow cytometry. The morphological change of apoptosis cells were observed under fluorescence microscopy after Hoechst 33258 staining. RESULTS: The cells in H2O2 group show the highest apoptosis rate (22.13±1.79)%. In H2O2+EPO group, apoptosis rate were (16.47±2.53)%, (4.97±0.55)% and (2.93±0.47)% according to the EPO treated levels (10, 20 or 40 kU/L), respectively. MMP level in H2O2 group was the lowest 9.70±0.09. MMP levels in H2O2+EPO group were 12.67±0.32, 27.90±0.66, 44.53±0.93, respectively according to the EPO treated levels (10, 20 or 40 kU/L). In control group, apoptosis rate was 1.93±0.57 and MMP was 51.37±0.64. In H2O2 group and H2O2+ low dosage EPO group, Hoechst 33258 staining showed obvious apoptosis. CONCLUSION: EPO inhibits the apoptosis induced by H2O2 and stabilizes the MMP, which is related to the dosage of EPO.