Nitric oxide donor SNAP induced apoptosis in primary rat cerebral cortical
neurons, which was characterized morphologically by chromatin condensation
and the formation of apoptotic bodies. With redox-sensitive fluorescence pr
obes DCFH-DA and DHR123, the formation of endogenous reactive oxygen specie
s (ROS) inside cells during the apoptosis process was monitored by laser co
nfocal scanning microscopy(LCSM). SNAP treatment also caused the accumulati
on of extracellular hydrogen peroxide. Pretreatment with the nitric oxide s
cavenger hemoglobin could effectively inhibit the formation of endogenous R
OS and protect neurons from apoptosis. The results suggested that ROS might
be involved in NO-induced apoptosis in neuronal cells.