Induction of apoptosis by superoxide anion and the protective effects of selenium and Vitamin E.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of superoxide anion on the apoptosis of cultured fibroblasts and the protective role of selenium and Vitamin E.


METHODS
Cultured fibroblasts (NIH3T3), with or without selenium or vitamin E in the medium, were treated by superoxide anion produced by xanthine/xanthine oxidase reaction system and changes in cell structure and DNA were observed microscopically and electrophoretically.


RESULTS
Apoptosis was observed when superoxide anion at a concentration of 5 nmol/L or 10 nmol/L had acted on the fibroblasts for 5-10 h. Selenium and Vitamin E in the medium inhibited the apoptosis significantly when their concentrations reached 1.15 mol/L and 2.3 mol/L respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Selenium and vitamin E have protective effect against the apoptosis induced by superoxide anion. The effect of selenium is more remarkable than that of vitamin E.
Guo
L
L
Institute of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, Nan Wei Road 29, Beijing 100050, China.
Xue
A N
AN
Wang
S Q
SQ
Chen
J Y
JY
Wu
Y D
YD
Zhang
B
B
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005347:Fibroblasts; D006801:Humans; D012643:Selenium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013481:Superoxides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000975:Antioxidants; D013481:Superoxides; D014810:Vitamin E; D012643:Selenium