TY - JOUR AB - The existence of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in neurodegenerative diseases has been well established. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is a bile acid taurine conjugate derived from ursodeoxycholic acid, which has been reported to exert cytoprotective effects on several types of cells by inhibiting ER stress. The present study explored the effects of TUDCA on primary cultured rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Cell viability and apoptosis of DRG neurons treated with TUDCA and tunicamycin were detected by CellTiter‑Blue assay and TUNEL staining, respectively. The protein levels and phosphorylation of apoptosis and ERS‑related signaling pathway molecules were detected by western blot, and the mRNA levels of related genes were assessed by reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR. Notably, TUDCA had no significant cytotoxic effect on DRG neurons at concentrations ≤250 µM. In addition, the apoptosis induced by tunicamycin exposure was markedly suppressed by TUDCA, as indicated by the percentage of TUNEL‑positive cells, the activities of caspases and the changes in expression levels of critical apoptosis factors. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of tunicamycin in DRG neurons was accompanied by an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) content, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) production, and a decrease in glutathione (GSH) levels. The changes in oxidative stress‑related factors (ROS, LDH, MDA and GSH) were reversed by TUDCA. Furthermore, as determined by western blotting, the increase in C/EBP homologous protein, glucose‑regulated protein 78 and cleaved caspase‑12 expression following tunicamycin treatment suggested the activation of ER stress. Downregulation of ER stress components and unfolded protein response sensors by TUDCA confirmed the implication of ER stress in the effects of TUDCA on DRG neurons. In conclusion, the present study indicated that TUDCA may protect against tunicamycin‑induced DRG apoptosis by suppressing the activation of ER stress. The protective effect and the therapeutic value of TUDCA in nervous system injury require further study in animal models. AD - Department of Orthopedics, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, P.R. China Department of Stomatology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, P.R. China Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, P.R. China AU - Chen,Fangyi AU - Ge,Zhe AU - Li,Nan AU - Yu,Zuochong AU - Wu,Rongbo AU - Zhao,Yan AU - He,Xianwei AU - Cai,Guoping AU - Chen,Fangyi AU - Ge,Zhe AU - Li,Nan AU - Yu,Zuochong AU - Wu,Rongbo AU - Zhao,Yan AU - He,Xianwei AU - Cai,Guoping DA - 2022/08/01 DO - 10.3892/etm.2022.11436 IS - 2 JO - Exp Ther Med KW - tauroursodeoxycholic acid tunicamycin dorsal root ganglia endoplasmic reticulum stress apoptosis PY - 2022 SN - 1792-0981 1792-1015 SP - 509 ST - TUDCA protects against tunicamycin‑induced apoptosis of dorsal root ganglion neurons by suppressing activation of ER stress T2 - Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine TI - TUDCA protects against tunicamycin‑induced apoptosis of dorsal root ganglion neurons by suppressing activation of ER stress UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2022.11436 VL - 24 ER -