Open Access

DHA ameliorates MeHg‑induced PC12 cell apoptosis by inhibiting the ROS/JNK signaling pathway

  • Authors:
    • Hong Zhang
    • Susu Wang
    • Yaqian Wang
    • Anxin Lu
    • Chunping Hu
    • Chonghuai Yan
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: June 3, 2021     https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2021.12197
  • Article Number: 558
  • Copyright: © Zhang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

Recent studies have reported that methylmercury (MeHg) induces neuronal apoptosis, which is accompanied by abnormal neurological development. Despite the important role of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in maintaining the structure and function of the brain, as well as improving neuronal apoptosis induced by MeHg, the exact mechanism remains unknown. The present study hypothesized that the reactive oxygen species (ROS)‑mediated JNK signaling pathway may be associated with the protective effect of DHA against MeHg‑induced PC12 cell apoptosis. Cell Counting Kit‑8, TUNEL staining, flow cytometry, ROS detection, PCR and western blot analysis were performed. The results demonstrated that MeHg inhibited the activity of PC12 cells, causing oxidative damage and promoting apoptosis; however, DHA significantly attenuated this effect. Mechanistic studies revealed that MeHg increased intracellular ROS levels and JNK protein phosphorylation, and decreased the expression levels of the anti‑apoptotic protein Bcl‑2, whereas DHA reduced ROS levels and JNK phosphorylation, and increased Bcl‑2 expression. In addition, the ROS inhibitor N‑acetyl‑l‑cysteine (NAC) was used to verify the experimental results. After pretreatment with NAC, expression levels of Bcl‑2, Bax, phosphorylated‑JNK and JNK were assessed. Bcl‑2 protein expression was increased and the Bcl‑2/Bax ratio was increased. Moreover, the high expression levels of phosphorylated‑JNK induced by MeHg were significantly decreased. Based on the aforementioned results, the present study indicated that the effects of DHA against MeHg‑induced PC12 cell apoptosis may be mediated via the ROS/JNK signaling pathway.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

August-2021
Volume 24 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1791-2997
Online ISSN:1791-3004

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Zhang H, Wang S, Wang Y, Lu A, Hu C and Yan C: DHA ameliorates MeHg‑induced PC12 cell apoptosis by inhibiting the ROS/JNK signaling pathway. Mol Med Rep 24: 558, 2021
APA
Zhang, H., Wang, S., Wang, Y., Lu, A., Hu, C., & Yan, C. (2021). DHA ameliorates MeHg‑induced PC12 cell apoptosis by inhibiting the ROS/JNK signaling pathway. Molecular Medicine Reports, 24, 558. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2021.12197
MLA
Zhang, H., Wang, S., Wang, Y., Lu, A., Hu, C., Yan, C."DHA ameliorates MeHg‑induced PC12 cell apoptosis by inhibiting the ROS/JNK signaling pathway". Molecular Medicine Reports 24.2 (2021): 558.
Chicago
Zhang, H., Wang, S., Wang, Y., Lu, A., Hu, C., Yan, C."DHA ameliorates MeHg‑induced PC12 cell apoptosis by inhibiting the ROS/JNK signaling pathway". Molecular Medicine Reports 24, no. 2 (2021): 558. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2021.12197