EPC-K1 protects neuronal cells from peroxynitrite-mediated oxidative damage

Protective effects of EPC-K1 (L-ascorbic acid 2-[3,4-dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetram ethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyldecyl)-2H-1 -benzopyran-6-yl-hydrogen phosphate] p otassium salt, a difunctional derivative of vitamin C and vitamin E) on neu ronal cell damage mediated by peroxynitrite were studied. Primary cultures of cerebellar granule cells were exposed to peroxynitrite by treatment with 3-morpholinosydnonimine-N-ethylcarbamide (SIN-1), which generated nitric o xide and superoxide anion simultaneously upon decomposition. The results sh owed that SIN-1 treatment triggered time-dependent cell death, which was ac companied by the decrease in the cellular GSH level, the increase in the li pid peroxidation level, and the alteration of cell membrane biophysical cha racteristics. EPC-KI showed only moderate scavenging effect on peroxynitrit e, but could effectively protect neuronal cells from oxidative damage media ted by peroxynitrite.