Aluminum-induced apoptosis in PC12D cells

The addition of aluminum-maltol complex to PC12D cells induced a time-depen dent and concentration-dependent growth inhibition as well as cell death, w hereas aluminum chloride or maltol alone did not affect the viability of PC 12D cells. Apoptosis of differentiated PC12D cells was assessed by using te rminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated 2'-deoxyuridine-5'-triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique to detect DNA strand breaks in situ. T he number of TUNEL-positive cells treated with aluminum-maltol increased wi th time in the treatment cultures. The ability of aluminum ion to elevate i ntracellular reactive oxygen species was determined by fluorescence in PC12 D cells loaded with the oxidant-sensitive dye 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diac etate. Aluminum ion incorporated to PC12D cells causes apoptotic cell death by enhancing the generation of reactive oxygen species.