Effect of rhynchophylline on apoptosis induced by dopamine in NT2 cells

AIM: To study the effect of rhynchophylline (Rhy) on the apoptosis induced by dopamine (DA) in NT2 cell tine. METHODS: Release of lactate dihydrogenase (LDH) from cultured cells was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay; apoptotic NT2 neurons by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling method; DNA fragmentation by agaros gel electrophoresis; Bcl-2 protein expression by Western blotting. RESULTS: DA 100 - 500 mumol/L increased release of LDH, number of apoptotic NT2 neurons, and DNA fragmentation ( P < 0.01). NT2 cells survival rate was decreased. Rhy 5 and 50 mumol/L reduced the percentage of apoptosis after treated with DA 100 mumol/L for 6 h in both with and without bcl-2 gene neurons (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). The expression of Bcl-2 protein was not affected by Rhy. CONCLUSION: Rhy protected NT2 neurons from the damage induced by DA.