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The enhancement of propyl gallate-induced HeLa cell death by MAPK inhibitors is accompanied by increasing ROS levels

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Abstract

Propyl gallate (PG) as a synthetic antioxidant exerts a variety of effects on tissue and cell functions. Here, we investigated the effects of MAPK (MEK, JNK and p38) inhibitors on PG-treated HeLa cells in relation to cell death, ROS and GSH levels. PG induced cell growth inhibition and apoptosis in HeLa cells, which was accompanied by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP; ΔΨm). ROS levels were increased or decreased in PG-treated HeLa cells depending on the incubation times. PG also increased GSH depleted cell numbers in HeLa cells. All the MAPK inhibitors slightly enhanced cell growth inhibition, death and MMP (ΔΨm) loss, and increased ROS levels in PG-treated HeLa cells. However, MAPK inhibitors did not significantly affect GSH depletion in PG-treated cells. In conclusion, the enhanced effect of MAPK inhibitors on PG-induced HeLa cell death was accompanied by increasing ROS levels but the effect was not related to changes of GSH level.

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Abbreviations

PG:

Propyl gallate

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

MAPK:

Mitogen-activated protein kinase

MEK:

MAP kinase or ERK kinase

ERK:

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase

JNK:

c-Jun N-terminal kinase

SOD:

Superoxide dismutase

MMP (ΔΨm):

Mitochondrial membrane potential

FBS:

Fetal bovine serum

PI:

Propidium iodide

FITC:

Fluorescein isothiocyanate

H2DCFDA:

2′,7′-Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate

DHE:

Dihydroethidium

GSH:

Glutathione

CMFDA:

5-Chloromethylfluorescein diacetate

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Acknowledgments

The work was supported by a grant 15 from Kye-Nam, Kim Jae Jung Memorial Fund.

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None declared.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Medical School, Institute for Medical Sciences, Chonbuk National University, JeonJu, 561-180, Republic of Korea

    Bo Ra You & Woo Hyun Park

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  1. Bo Ra You
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  2. Woo Hyun Park
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Correspondence to Woo Hyun Park.

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You, B.R., Park, W.H. The enhancement of propyl gallate-induced HeLa cell death by MAPK inhibitors is accompanied by increasing ROS levels. Mol Biol Rep 38, 2349–2358 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-010-0368-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-010-0368-8

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