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Synergistic effects of homocysteine, S ‐adenosylhomocysteine and adenosine on apoptosis in BV‐2 murine microglial cells
Author(s) -
Lin HungChi,
Yang ChihMin,
Liu ChengLing,
Hu MiaoLin
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
biofactors
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.204
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1872-8081
pISSN - 0951-6433
DOI - 10.1002/biof.5520340201
Subject(s) - apoptosis , annexin , homocysteine , intracellular , reactive oxygen species , incubation , adenosine , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , biology
Abstract Homocysteine (Hcy), S‐adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) and adenosine (Ado) are methionine metabolism intermediates that may act synergistically in certain disease. In this study, we examined whether HCy, SAH and Ado may synergistically induce neuronal apoptosis of BV‐2 microglial cells. We found that an incubation of BV‐2 cells with 1 mM Hcy, 1 μM SAH and 100 μM Ado (SAH + Hcy + Ado) led to marked apoptosis of BV‐2 cells, as evidenced by several markers of apoptosis. A synergistic effect of SAH + Hcy + Ado on apoptosis (2.55‐fold, P <0.05) was obtained, as calculated using the data of Annexin V‐positive cells. This combination markedly induced intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) starting at 6 h and significantly decreased the mitochondrial potential starting at 12 h. The combination significantly elevated caspase‐9 and caspase‐3 activities at 24 and 48 h. The combination also induced hypomethylation (at 24 and 48 h), as indicated by significantly decreased 5‐methyldeoxycytidine levels and SAM/SAH ratios. Pre‐incubation of cells with α‐tocopherol (30 μM) reduced the increase of ROS (at 6 h) and significantly restored cell viability (at 24 and 48 h) in the SAH + Hcy + Ado group. Overall, the present study demonstrates that SAH, Hcy and Ado synergistically induce BV‐2 apoptosis, possibly by generation of ROS and induction of intracellular hypomethylation.