Diverse effect of tributyltin on apoptosis in PC12 cells

It has not been fully elucidated how endocrine-disrupting chemicals disrupt hormone functions or how strong their effects are compared with natural ho rmones. There is little information concerning the effects of tributyltin ( TBT), one of the endocrine disrupters on living organisms. Although TBT at high cocentration induced apoptosis in PC12 cells, TBT at low concentration inhibited the DNA fragmentation in the cells cultured in serum-free medium or in medium containing 6-hydroxydopamine. The cell viability grown in bot h medium conditions increased after treatment with TBT, These findings sugg est that TBT exerted a apoptosis-inducing and -inhibiting effect, These div erse effect of TBT on apoptosis would cause serious damages on cell differe ntiation. (C) 2000 Academic Press.