Apoptosis in pyrogallol-treated Calu-6 cells is correlated with the changes of intracellular GSH levels rather than ROS levels

SummaryWe investigated the involvement of glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as H2O2 and O2− in the deaths of pyrogallol-treated Calu-6 cells. Pyrogallol inhibited the growth of Calu-6 cells with an IC50 of approximately 50 μM. Levels of intracellular H2O2 were not altered or were decreased in pyrogallol-treated Calu-6 cells at 72 h. However, levels of O2− were increased. Treatment with pyrogallol also reduced the intracellular GSH content. The activity of SOD was down-regulated, but the activity of catalase was up-regulated by pyrogallol at 72 h. ROS scavengers, including Tempol, Tiron, Trimetazidine, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), did not reduce the levels of the intracellular O2−. Tempol showing the recovery of GSH depletion in pyrogallol-treated cells significantly prevented apoptosis, while Tiron prevented the loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm). In contrast, treatment with NAC showing an increased effect on O2− levels and depletion of GSH intensified pyrogallol-induced apoptosis. In addition, treatment with SOD and catalase significantly prevented the loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) in pyrogallol-treated Calu-6 cells. However, only catalase showing a decreased effect on O2− levels and depletion of GSH prevented pyrogallol-induced apoptosis. Taken together, apoptosis in pyrogallol-treated Calu-6 cells is correlated with the changes of intracellular GSH levels rather than ROS levels.