Hydrogen sulfide protects PC12 cells against chemical hypoxia-induced injury by inhibing p38MAPK

Aim To investigate whether hydrogen sulfide(H 2 S) protected PC12 cells against chemical hypoxia-induced injury by inhibiting p38 MAPK.Methods PC12 cells were treated with cobalt chloride(CoCl 2 ) to set up a chemical hypoxia-induced cellular injury model.Cell viability was tested by cell counter kit(CCK-8) ;morphological changes of apoptotic cells were detected by Hochest 332580 staining;intracellular level of reactive oxygen species(ROS) was measured by DCFH-DA staining and photofluorograph;mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP) was observed by rhodamine 123(RH123) staining and photofluorography;the expression of p38MAPK was determined by Western blot assay.Results Exposure of PC12 cells to 600μmol· L -1 CoCl2 for 2 h significantly enhanced phosphorylated(p) p38MAPK expression.Pretreatment with 400 μmol·L -1 NaHS(a donor of H 2 S) for 30 min prior to exposure of PC12 cells to 600μmol·L -1 CoCl2 not only inhibited CoCl2 induced increase in expression of p38MAPK,but also protected PC12 cells against injuries induced by 600μmol·L -1 CoCl2,enhancing cell viability and decreasing amount of apoptotic cells and intracellular ROS level,as well as loss of MMP.Similarly,pretreatment with SB302580(20μmol·L-1) ,an inhibitor of p38MAPK,for 60 min prior to exposure of PC12 cells to CoCl2 also conferred the same cytoprotective effect of H2 S.Conclusions p38MAPK mediates CoCl2-induced injuries in PC12 cells.H2 S protects PC12 cells against chemical hypoxia-induced injury by inhibiting p38MAPK expression and oxidative stress.