Effects of Sodium Benzoate on Apoptosis of PC12 Cells and Expression of Tyrosine Hydroxylase

【Objective】 To investigate the effects of sodium benzoate(SB)-induced apoptosis in adrenal pheochromocytoma(PC12) cell and the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH). 【Methods】 PC12 cells of rats were models for dopaminergic neuron.MTT assay was used to examine the cell viability of PC12 cells treated by different concentration(10-50 mmol / L) SB after 24 h. DAPI stain and flow cytometry were used to observe the morphological changes of apoptosis and apoptotic rates respectively. The expression of TH were determined by Western blot. 【Results】 SB could inhibit PC12 cells viability in dose-dependent manner. Apoptosis was obviously observed using DAPI staining. Flow cytometry showed that apoptosis rates significantly increased with increasing SB concentrations. The expression of TH in PC12 cells was increased when treated with low dosage(10 mmol / L) of SB, whereas this expression was decreased when treated with high dosage(40-50 mmol / L) of SB. And the expression of TH when treated with high dosage(40 mmol / L) of SB was decraesed in a time-dependent manner. 【Conclusion】 SB could induce apoptosis of PC12 cells and accompanied with change the expression of TH.