[Dexamethasone induces PC12 cell apoptosis by down-regulating glucose uptake].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) on rat PC12 chromaffin tumor cells and glucose uptake.


METHODS
PC12 cells in vitro were randomized into normal control group, 10 and 100 μmol/L DEX treated groups. MTT assay was used to determined the cell viability to evaluate the optimal concentration of DEX. Cell apoptosis was measured by DAPI fluorescence staining, mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pore (mPTP), activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9. Glucose oxidase and peroxidase (GOD-POD) assay was performed to detect the glucose consumption. Expression of glucose transporter 3 (GLUT-3) was detected by Western blotting.


RESULTS
Compared with the control group, (10, 100) μmol/L DEX significantly decreased cell vitality, caused apoptosis, and reduced the glucose uptake and GLUT-3 protein level (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
DEX can induce the apoptosis of PC12 cells, the mechanism of which may be related to inhibited GLUT-3 protein expression and glucose uptake.
Institute of Endocrinology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China.
Xiaoying
X
Liu
Institute of Endocrinology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China.
Yanping
Y
Wang
Institute of Endocrinology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China.
Chen
C
Qiu
Institute of Endocrinology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China.
Qing
Q
Zhou
School of Pharmacology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China.
Zhou
Z
Chen
Institute of Endocrinology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China.
Libin
L
Liu
D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D053453:Caspase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D051274:Glucose Transporter Type 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D016716:PC12 Cells; D051381:Rats
D051274:Glucose Transporter Type 3; D003907:Dexamethasone; D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; D053148:Caspase 3; D053453:Caspase 9; D005947:Glucose