Title | Dimethyl sulfoxide damages mitochondrial integrity and membrane potential in cultured astrocytes. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2014 |
Authors | Yuan C, Gao J, Guo J, Bai L, Marshall C, Cai Z, Wang L, Xiao M |
Journal | PLoS One |
Volume | 9 |
Issue | 9 |
Pagination | e107447 |
Date Published | 2014 |
ISSN | 1932-6203 |
Keywords | Animals, Apoptosis, Astrocytes, Caspase 3, Cell Survival, Cells, Cultured, Cytochromes c, Dimethyl Sulfoxide, Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 2, Membrane Potentials, Mice, Mitochondria, Reactive Oxygen Species |
Abstract | Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a polar organic solvent that is used to dissolve neuroprotective or neurotoxic agents in neuroscience research. However, DMSO itself also has pharmacological and pathological effects on the nervous system. Astrocytes play a central role in maintaining brain homeostasis, but the effect and mechanism of DMSO on astrocytes has not been studied. The present study showed that exposure of astrocyte cultures to 1% DMSO for 24 h did not significantly affect cell survival, but decreased cell viability and glial glutamate transporter expression, and caused mitochondrial swelling, membrane potential impairment and reactive oxygen species production, and subsequent cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activation. DMSO at concentrations of 5% significantly inhibited cell variability and promoted apoptosis of astrocytes, accompanied with more severe mitochondrial damage. These results suggest that mitochondrial impairment is a primary event in DMSO-induced astrocyte toxicity. The potential cytotoxic effects on astrocytes need to be carefully considered during investigating neuroprotective or neurotoxic effects of hydrophobic agents dissolved by DMSO. |
DOI | 10.1371/journal.pone.0107447 |
Alternate Journal | PLoS ONE |
PubMed ID | 25238609 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC4169574 |