Hydrogen peroxide induces apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway in rat Schwann cells

Oxidative stress is one of the several mechanisms that induces apoptosis in cells. It has been shown that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induces apoptosis in several kinds of cells; however, the role of H2O2 in the apoptosis of Schwann cells (SCs) is currently unclear. The objective of this study was to determine whether H2O2 is capable of inducing apoptosis in SCs and whether or not such an effect is associated with the activation of mitochondrial pathway. We demonstrated that H2O2 induces apoptosis in SCs, and is associated with increased release of cytochrome c from mitochondria and the activation of caspase-3 and -9 by up-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of Bcl-2. These results suggest a potential role for H2O2 in SC injury by triggering apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway under oxidative stress.

Research highlights▶ In rat Schwann cells, H2O2 induces apoptosis. ▶ Activation of the mitochondrial pathway is involved in H2O2-mediated apopotosis. ▶ The cytotoxicity of reactive oxygen species may be associated with neurologic complications.