Sodium pyruvate protects against H2O2 mediated apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cell line-SK-N-MC

Free radicals are involved in neuronal damage. The present study was aimed to investigate the protective effect of sodium pyruvate-a free radical scavenger against hydrogen peroxide (14202) induced apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cell line-SK-N-MC. On exposure to H2O2 (0.025 mM) cells exhibited apoptosis within 24 h, demonstrating a high caspase 3 activity by 3 h followed by cleavage of PARP that was maximum at 24 h. A break down in the mitochondrial membrane potential was observed 3 h onwards. Sodium pyruvate protected cells significantly (P < 0.05) against apoptosis in a dose dependent manner as assessed for cell viability by dye exclusion method and apoptosis by TUNEL. Sodium pyruvate significantly inhibited caspase 3 activity, cleavage of PARP and breakdown of mitochondrial membrane potential. These data suggest that sodium pyruvate protects neuronal damage caused by H2O2. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.