Effects of Hydrogen Sulfide on Apoptosis of PC12 Cells Induced by Chemical Hypoxia

【Objective】 To explore the cytoprotection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) against cobalt chloride (CoCl2)-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells and the underlying mechanisms.【Methods】 CoCl2 (a chemical hypoxia-mimetic agent) was used to establish the chemical hypoxia-induced PC12 cell injuries model.Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) was used as a H2S donor.The viability of PC12 cells was measured by CCK-8 assay.The percentage of apoptotic cells was assessed by propidium iodide stain flow cytometry (FCM).The morphological change of apoptotic cells was tested by using the chromatin dye Hoechst 33258.The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was analyzed by rhodamine 123 staining and photofluorography.The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PC12 cells was measured by DCFH-DA staining and photofluorography.【Results】 CoCl2 induced a decrease in cell viability and an increase in percentage of apoptosis in PC12 cells along with dissipation of MMP as well as overproduction of ROS.When PC12 cells were treated with NaHS 30 min before CoCl2 treatment a decrease in viability of PC12 cells induced by 600 μmol / L CoCl2 was concentration-dependently blocked by NaHS (100,200,and 400 μmol / L).Pretreatment with NaHS at 200 and 400 μmol / L obviously reduced the apopototic percentage of PC12 cells induced by 600 μmol / L CoCl2 and inhibited the dissipation of MMP and overproduction of ROS.【Conclusion】 H2S protected PC12 cells against CoCl2-induced apoptosis,which may be associated with the inhibition of H2S on the dissipation of MMP and overproduction of ROS induced by CoCl2.