Apoptosis induced by acrylamide in SH-SY5Y cells

Acrylamide (1-5 mM) dose-dependently decreased cell viability in human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y). The caspase-3 activity and cell population in sub-G(1) phase were elevated and peaked on exposure to 3 mM acrylamide, while both were less so at higher dose (4 and 5 mM). Z-VAD-fmk, a pan-caspase inhibitor, lowered the apparent cytotoxicity of acrylamide. U0126, a specific inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) kinase, suppressed the elevation of caspase-3 activities as well as that of sub-G(1) population. Thus, although mechanisms other than caspase-dependent apoptosis may be involved, apoptotic process seems to take place in the genesis of toxicity of acrylamide in SH-SY5Y cells through ERK pathway and activation of caspase-3.