丹参酚酸B通过Nrf2/HO-1对脑缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用研究

目的:研究丹参酚酸B对脑缺血/再灌注(Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion,CI/R)损伤的保护作用及机制。方法:通过结扎颈总动脉缺血2 h再灌注48 h复制CI/R模型,将实验大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、丹参酚酸B组,每组10只,培养大脑皮层神经细胞,分别给予0,10,25,50 umol/L的丹参酚酸B。通过2,3,5-氯化三苯基四氮唑蓝(TTC)染法测定大鼠脑梗死面积,Western Blot检测大鼠Nrf2和HO-1蛋白表达水平以及细胞中Nrf2和HO-1蛋白表达水平。再通过细胞缺氧缺糖模型,检测不同浓度丹参酚酸B对于细胞死亡率及细胞内ROS水平以及转染Nrf2或HO-1 si RNA后细胞死亡率及细胞内ROS水平。结果:与模型组比较,丹参酚酸B组的大鼠脑梗死面积明显减小,脑组织中Nrf2和HO-1蛋白表达水平均明显增加(P0.05)。大脑皮层细胞中,随着丹参酚酸B浓度增加,细胞HO-1蛋白及细胞核中Nrf2蛋白表达水平逐渐提高,而细胞质中Nrf2蛋白表达水平逐渐降低(P0.05)。细胞缺糖缺氧条件下,与对照组相比,丹参酚酸B组均能够降低细胞的死亡率及细胞内ROS水平,敲除Nrf2或HO-1后,丹参酚酸B组的细胞死亡率与细胞内ROS水平均有明显减低(P0.05)。结论:丹参酚酸B对大鼠CI/R具有保护作用,其作用机制可能通过Nrf2/HO-1减轻CI/R所造成的氧化应激损伤。     

虎杖苷对急性心肌梗死所致心脏损伤的保护作用

为了考察虎杖苷对急性心肌梗死所致心脏损伤的保护作用,本研究对H9c2大鼠心肌细胞进行缺氧诱导来模拟急性心肌梗死中心肌细胞的变化。然后用200μmol/L的虎杖苷处理心肌细胞12 h。考察虎杖苷对心肌细胞活力、细胞凋亡及相关蛋白(caspase-3, Bcl-2)和ROS生成的应用,并用小干扰RNA敲低Nrf2,考察敲低Nrf2对心肌细胞的影响。研究显示,缺氧处理可显著降低心肌细胞活力并增加细胞凋亡率,而虎杖苷可抑制缺氧诱导的细胞活力降低和细胞凋亡。虎杖苷可显著抑制缺氧诱导的caspase-3的下调并抑制缺氧诱导的Bcl-2的上调。虎杖苷可显著抑制缺氧诱导的Nrf2和HO-1的下调。敲低Nrf2可降低H9c2心肌细胞活力并增加细胞凋亡率。敲低Nrf2可上调caspase-3表达,并下调Bcl-2和Nrf2/HO-1信号通路的表达。缺氧可诱导H9c2细胞中ROS的产量升高,虎杖苷可抑制ROS的生成。然而,敲低Nrf2可导致细胞中ROS产量再次升高。虎杖苷具有抑制缺氧诱导的心肌细胞凋亡的作用,并且虎杖苷可通过抗氧化作用来减轻急性心肌梗死所致的心脏损伤。虎杖苷的抗氧化和心肌保护作用部分依赖于Nrf2/HO-1信号通路。     

叶黄素对人RPE细胞氧化应激损伤的保护作用

目的：外源性给予过氧化氢（H2O2）诱导构建人视网膜色素上皮细胞（Retinal pigment epithelial,RPE）细胞氧化损伤模型,探究H2O2的最佳建模浓度,并探讨叶黄素对H2O2诱导人RPE细胞氧化损伤的保护作用。方法：本研究以人RPE细胞为实验对象。不同浓度H2O2（0、50、100、200、400、600μmol/L）处理RPE细胞1 h后,观察细胞形态的改变,并测定细胞生存率和细胞内ROS浓度进而确定H2O2的最佳建模浓度。不同剂量叶黄素（1、2.5、5、7.5、10μg/mL）预处理RPE细胞24h,随后给予100μmol/L H2O2作用1h,测定各组细胞生存率和细胞内活性氧（ROS）浓度,从而评价叶黄素对RPE细胞氧化损伤的作用。结果：H2O2作用后,随H2O2浓度的增加,RPE细胞生存率逐步下降;细胞内ROS浓度随H2O2的浓度增加而显著升高。与损伤对照组相比,各叶黄素处理组RPE细胞生存率显著升高,同时细胞内ROS浓度显著下降。结论：H2O2可导致RPE细胞出现氧化应激损伤,细胞ROS含量显著增加。叶黄素干预后可显著减缓H2O2诱导的氧化应激反应,提示其可通过提高RPE细胞的生存率、抑制细胞内ROS浓度,保护RPE细胞免受氧化损伤,从而对年龄相关性黄斑变性等眼部退行性疾病起到预防和减缓作用。     

葡萄籽原花青素通过Nrf2/ARE信号通路抗高糖诱导的HUVEC-12细胞氧化损伤

研究葡萄籽原花青素提取物(GSPE)对高糖诱导的人脐静脉内皮细胞HUVEC-12氧化应激损伤的保护作用及其相关机制。建立高糖诱导的HUVEC-12细胞模型,测定细胞活力,检测细胞内活性氧(ROS)水平、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)与超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性及Nrf2/ARE信号通路中相关基因mRNA水平和蛋白含量。结果显示GSPE作用后显著提高HUVEC-12细胞活力,抑制高糖诱导的细胞内ROS水平升高,增强SOD活性(P0.05),并呈现剂量依赖效应。GSPE作用能同时提高抗氧化转录因子Nrf2和下游区GSH-Px、HO-1、γ-GCS、NQO1基因的表达量以及HO-1、NQO1蛋白的含量(P0.05)。结果表明GSPE能通过激活Nrf2/ARE通路对抗高糖诱导的HUVEC-12细胞氧化应激损伤。     

花旗松素通过激活Nrf2/HO-1/HIF1α/Autophagy信号通路对H_2O_2所致H9C2细胞氧化应激保护作用的研究

氧化应激(oxidative stress,OS)是缺血性心肌病(ischemic cardiomyopathy,ICM)的主要发病机制之一,抗氧化应激损伤是防治缺血性心肌病的关键。为了探讨花旗松素(taxifolin,tax)对过氧化氢(hydrogen peroxide,H_2O_2)诱导的大鼠心肌细胞H9C2氧化应激的影响及其可能的分子机制,将培养的H9C2心肌细胞随机分为对照组(Control)、氧化应激组(H_2O_2)、tax预处理组(tax+H_2O_2)、tax单独处理组(tax)。通过观察细胞形态的改变,检测细胞内活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)和丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)的生成、自噬体自噬泡的形成,以及自噬(autophagy)相关蛋白质LC3 I/II、p62的表达,验证tax对氧化应激及自噬的影响。同时,通过检测Nrf2、HO-1、HIF1α的表达,研究可能存在的分子机制。研究发现tax可缓解H_2O_2诱导的H9C2细胞氧化应激,表现为细胞肥大形态缓解、ROS生成降低、MDA产生减少,而且Nrf2/HO-1/HIF1α蛋白的表达升高,自噬水平升高。实验结果表明:tax可能通过激活Nrf2/HO-1/HIF1α/Autophagy信号通路促进自噬及抗氧化应激,从而发挥心肌保护作用。     

Nrf2/ARE通路相关因子在脂肪变性HepG2细胞中的表达及其意义

目的:探讨建立一种新型的脂肪变性人肝癌细胞(Hep G2)模型,观察核因子E2相关因子2(Nrf2)/抗氧化反应元件(ARE)通路相关因子在脂肪变性Hep G2细胞中的表达及其意义。方法:Hep G2细胞给予含25%的胎牛血清、0.1%医用脂肪乳和0.1 mmol/L游离脂肪酸(FFA)的DMEM培养基分阶段诱导后,建立脂肪变性Hep G2细胞模型,并设置对照组。模型成功后,以油红O染色观察细胞内脂滴形成状况,并用全自动生化仪检测细胞内甘油三酯(TG)含量;采用流式细胞仪测定细胞内活性氧(ROS)的含量,采用生物试剂盒检测细胞内一氧化氮(NO)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)含量及活性的变化;运用Western blot法检测各组细胞Nrf2、血红素氧化酶-1(HO-1)和醌氧化还原酶1(NQO1)蛋白的表达。结果:与对照组比较,模型组油红O染色可见细胞内橘红色脂滴大量形成,TG、ROS、NO、MDA含量水平明显增高(P0.05,P0.01),SOD、GSHPx活性明显下降(P0.01),Nrf2、HO-1和NQO1蛋白表达均显著增高(P0.05,P0.01)。结论:本模型可以成功诱导Hep G2细胞发生脂肪变性和氧化应激损伤状态;Nrf2/ARE通路下游相关因子发生激活可能与脂肪变性Hep G2细胞氧化应激的过度反应有关。     

玉郎伞查尔酮激活Nrf2/ARE信号通路减轻缺氧/复氧所致的H9c2细胞凋亡及氧化应激损伤

研究玉郎伞查尔酮(YLSC)对缺氧/复氧所致的H9c2细胞损伤的影响及可能的作用机制。缺氧12 h、复氧24 h建立心肌细胞缺氧/复氧模型,并对细胞凋亡、氧化应激相关指标和Nuclear-Nrf2等蛋白表达进行了检测。结果显示,YLSC可明显增加细胞生存率,提高SOD、GSH-Px水平,降低细胞凋亡率和LDH、ROS、MDA水平。使Nuclear-Nrf2、HO-1、Bcl-2蛋白表达增高而Cleaved caspase 3、Bax蛋白表达减少,联合应用Nrf2抑制剂可抑制YLSC作用效果。结果表明,YLSC可以减轻缺氧/复氧所致的心肌细胞凋亡及氧化应激损伤,其机制可能与激活Nrf2/ARE信号通路有关。     

EGCG对高糖诱导的HK-2细胞氧化应激损伤的保护作用

探究表没食子儿茶素没食子酸脂(EGCG)对高糖诱导的人肾小管上皮细胞HK-2氧化应激损伤的保护作用及其相关机制。用EGCG干预可以显著提高HK-2细胞抗氧化能力,抑制高糖诱导的细胞内ROS水平升高,提高细胞活力(P0.05),并呈现剂量依赖效应。同时,研究发现EGCG能显著诱导HK-2细胞Nrf2核转位,并且其下游的Ⅱ相解毒酶HO-1蛋白表达水平也相应提高,Nrf2 mRNA的表达含量也相应升高(P0.05)。说明EGCG可能通过激活Nrf2/ARE通路,发挥对高糖诱导的HK-2细胞氧化应激损伤的保护作用。     

穿心莲内酯激活Nrf2抑制乙醇诱导肝细胞氧化应激损伤

本研究为观察穿心莲内酯(AD)对乙醇诱导肝细胞氧化应激损伤的保护作用,体外培养肝细胞L-02,用不同浓度(0~30μmol/L)AD孵育1 h,随后加入100 mmol/L乙醇作用24 h。ELISA测定AD处理前后细胞培养上清中谷丙转氨酶(ALT)和谷草转氨酶(AST)的含量;比色法检测丙二醛(MDA)和谷胱氨肽(GSH)的变化;荧光探针DCFH2-DA检测胞内活性氧(ROS)的产生;Western blotting和分析血红素氧合酶-1(HO-1)m RNA和蛋白的表达。电泳迁移率实验(EMSA)检测核转录因子Nrf2的DNA结合活性。结果表明,100 mmol/L乙醇处理肝细胞后,可在不影响L-02活性的情况下显著增加培养上清中ALT和AST的含量,而AD预处理后可抑制ALT、AST、MDA和ROS的增加以及上调胞内GSH的水平。此外,Western blotting和实时定量PCR结果也证实乙醇可降低肝细胞内源性HO-1的表达,而AD预处理后可增强转录因子Nrf2的活性并进一步上调HO-1的表达水平。AD可能通过激活Nrf2上调HO-1表达而发挥对乙醇所致肝细胞损伤的保护作用。     

何首乌苷通过激活BDNF/TrkB信号通路拮抗H2O2诱导的大鼠海马神经元氧化损伤

探讨脑源性神经营养因子/酪氨酸激酶受体B(BDNF/TrkB)信号通路激活参与何首乌苷(PMG)对过氧化氢(H2O2)诱导神经元氧化应激损伤的保护作用。实验采用神经元原代培养,建立大鼠乳鼠海马神经元氧化应激损伤模型。实验结果显示高浓度的H2O2与MTT测定的细胞存活率降低相关,选择细胞存活率在40%~50%之间的200μmol/LH2O2浓度作为氧化应激损伤的实验浓度。与模型组相比,PMG预处理组(200μmol/L)可抑制H2O2诱导的神经元损伤(P<0.001)。TUNEL和β-微管蛋白III荧光染色显示PMG保护H2O2诱导的神经细胞损伤,明显降低细胞凋亡率(P<0.001),细胞骨架形态恢复正常。与PMG+H2O2预处理组相比较,当加入BDNF/TrkB信号转导通路阻断剂K252a后,PMG+H2O2+K252a组神经元细胞存活率大幅度下降(P<0.01),细胞骨架形态呈损伤状态。同时,我们发现PMG预处理恢复H2O2诱导的BDNF和P-TrkB的低表达水平,并且用K252a阻断BDNF/TrkB信号传导抑制了PMG对BDNF和P-TrkB表达水平的影响(P<0.01)。综上所述,何首乌苷可能通过激活BDNF/TrkB信号转导通路及维护神经元骨架的完整,实现对大鼠海马神经元氧化应激损伤的拮抗作用。     

Modulation of Nrf2 expression alters high glucose-induced oxidative stress and antioxidant gene expression in mouse mesangial cells

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) can up-regulate the expression of antioxidant genes and protect cells from oxidative damage. The current study is aimed at examining the effect of modulation of Nrf2 expression on high glucose-induced oxidative stress and Nrf2-targeting antioxidant expression in mouse mesangial cells. In this study, mouse mesangial cells were transiently transfected with Nrf2-plasmid or the Nrf2-specific siRNA. The high glucose-induced intracellular ROS, malondialdehyde, cell proliferation, and TGF-β1 secretion were measured. The levels of Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), γ-glutamylcysteine synthethase (γ-GCS) expression, and nuclear expression of Nrf2 in mouse mesangial cells were determined. We found that high glucose induced ROS and malondialdehyde generation in mouse mesangial cells. Induction of Nrf2 over-expression reduced the high glucose-induced ROS and malondialdehyde production, inhibited cell proliferation and TGF-β1 secretion, accompanied by up-regulating the expressions of HO-1 and γ-GCS in mouse mesangial cells. However, knockdown of Nrf2 expression displayed reverse effects in mouse mesangial cells. All these results indicated that Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidants, HO-1 and γ-GCS, are negative regulators of high glucose-induced ROS-related mouse mesangial cell dysfunction.     

LL202 ameliorates colitis against oxidative stress of macrophage by activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

LL202, a newly synthesized flavonoid derivative, has been confirmed to inhibit the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and activation protein-1 activation in monocytes; however, the anti-inflammatory mechanism has not been clearly studied. Uncontrolled overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has involved in oxidative damage of inflammatory bowel disease. In this study, we investigated that LL202 reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ROS production and malondialdehyde levels and increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and total antioxidant capacity in RAW264.7 cells. Mechanically, LL202 could upregulate heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) via promoting nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NF-E2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2) to regulate LPS-induced oxidative stress in macrophages. In vivo, we validated the role of LL202 in dextran sulfate sodium- and TNBS-induced colitis models, respectively. The results showed that LL202 decreased the proinflammatory cytokine expression and regulated colonic oxidative stress by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. In conclusion, our study showed that LL202 exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by enhancing the antioxidant capacity of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to macrophages.     

Involvement of heme oxygenase-1 induction via Nrf2/ARE activation in protection against H2O2-induced PC12 cell death by a metabolite of sesamin contained in sesame seeds

Induction of phase II antioxidant enzymes by activation of Nrf2/ARE (antioxidant response element) signaling has been considered as a promising strategy to combat with oxidative stress-related diseases. In the present study, we tested for potential effects of sesamin, a major lignan contained in sesame seeds, its stereoisomer episesamin, and their metabolites on Nrf2/ARE activation in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. Luciferase reporter assays showed that primary metabolites of sesamin and episesamin, SC-1 and EC-1 were the most potent ARE activators among all tested compounds. SC-1 {(1R,2S,5R,6S)-6-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo-[3,3,0]octane} enhanced nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and up-regulated expression of phase II antioxidant enzymes including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Treatment with SC-1 resulted in increased phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase and transient increase in intracellular ROS levels. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment abolished p38 phosphorylation as well as HO-1 induction caused by SC-1, indicating that ROS are upstream signals of p38 in Nrf2/ARE activation by SC-1. Furthermore, preconditioning with SC-1 attenuated H(2)O(2)-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, treatment with a HO-1 inhibitor, Zn-protoporphyrin (ZnPP), and overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of Nrf2 diminished SC-1-mediated neuroprotection. Our results demonstrate that SC-1 is capable of protecting against oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell death in part through induction of HO-1 via Nrf2/ARE activation, suggesting its potential to reduce oxidative stress and ameliorate oxidative stress-related neurodegenerative diseases.     

连翘酯苷A通过Akt/Nrf2信号通路发挥抗脑缺血氧化损伤作用研究

目的:研究连翘酯苷A(Forsythiaside A,FA)对缺血再灌注引起的脑细胞损伤的保护作用及机制。方法:采用PC12细胞缺氧再复氧模型(OGD/R),细胞分组为正常组,模型组,FA处理组(1.25, 2.5和5μmol/L),测定细胞存活率、凋亡率、ROS、MDA以及抗氧化酶水平。采用Western blotting测定对Akt和Nrf2蛋白的影响,采用Akt抑制LY294002验证FA的调节作用。结果:FA能够有效抑制OGD/R引起的存活率下降和凋亡率增加,同时可以抑制细胞内ROS和MDA水平,升高细胞内抗氧化酶(SOD、GSH、GSH-Px和CAT)水平。FA处理能够增加Akt磷酸化水平以及Nrf2和其下游蛋白HO-1蛋白表达。进一步采用LY294002验证发现FA通过Akt调控Nrf2发挥抗氧化作用从而抑制脑细胞损伤。结论:FA能够抑制缺血再灌注引起的脑细胞损伤,其作用机制可能是通过促进Akt磷酸化,调控Nrf2下游抗氧蛋白酶表达,抑制氧化应激,从而保护脑细胞。     

Fisetin induces Nrf2-mediated HO-1 expression through PKC-δ and p38 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Fisetin is a natural flavonoid from fruits and vegetables that exhibits antioxidant, neurotrophic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects in various disease models. Up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression protects against oxidative stress-induced cell death, and therefore, plays a crucial role in cytoprotection in a variety of pathological models. In the present study, we investigated the effect of fisetin on the up-regulation of HO-1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Small interfering RNA and pharmacological inhibitors of PKC-δ and p38 MAPK attenuated HO-1 induction in fisetin-stimulated HUVECs. Fisetin treatment resulted in significantly increased NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation, and antioxidant response element (ARE)-luciferase activity, leading to up-regulation of HO-1 expression. In addition, fisetin pretreatment reduced hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced cell death, and this effect was reversed by ZnPP, an inhibitor of HO-1. In summary, these findings suggest that induction of HO-1 expression via Nrf2 activation may contribute to the cytoprotection exerted by fisetin against H(2)O(2) -induced oxidative stress in HUVECs.     

Antiarrhythmic effect of lithium in rats after myocardial infarction by activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) signaling has been shown to play a role in the regulation of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a master regulator of antioxidant genes, including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). We assessed whether lithium, a GSK-3 inhibitor, attenuates cardiac sympathetic reinnervation after myocardial infarction, a status of high reactive oxygen species (ROS), by attenuating nerve growth factor (NGF) expression and whether Nrf2/HO-1 signaling is involved in the protection. Twenty-four hours after ligation of the left anterior descending artery, male Wistar rats were treated for 4 weeks. The postinfarction period was associated with increased oxidative–nitrosative stress, as measured by myocardial superoxide, nitrotyrosine, and dihydroethidium fluorescent staining. In concert, myocardial norepinephrine levels and immunohistochemical analysis of sympathetic nerve revealed a significant increase in innervation in vehicle-treated rats compared with sham-operated rats. Arrhythmic scores during programmed stimulation in the vehicle-treated rats were significantly higher than those in sham. This was paralleled by a significant upregulation of NGF protein and mRNA in the vehicle-treated rats, which was reduced after administration of LiCl. LiCl stimulated the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and the transactivation of the Nrf2 target gene HO-1. Inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase by wortmannin reduced the increase in Nrf2 nucleus translocation and HO-1 expression compared with lithium alone. In addition, the lithium-attenuated NGF levels were reversed in the presence of the Nrf2 inhibitor trigonelline, HO-1 inhibitor SnPP, and peroxynitrite generator SIN-1, indicating the role of Nrf2/HO-1/ROS. In conclusion, lithium protects against ventricular arrhythmias by attenuating NGF-induced sympathetic innervation via antioxidant activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 axis.     

Interplay between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2): implications for preeclampsia

Several recently published studies have suggested that decreasing VEGF levels result in placental oxidative stress in preeclampsia, although the question as to how decreased VEGF concentrations increase oxidative stress still remains unanswered. Here, we show that VEGF activated Nrf2, the main regulating factor of the intracellular redox balance, in the cytotrophic cell line BeWo. In turn, this activated the production of antioxidative enzymes thioredoxin, thioredoxin reductase, and heme oxygenase-1, which showed a decrease in their expression in the placentas of preeclamptic women. Nevertheless, this activation occurred without oxidative stress stimulus. As a consequence, the activation of Nrf2 protected BeWo cells against H(2)O(2)/Fe(2+)-induced oxidative damage. We further show that VEGF up-regulated the expression of itself. A positive feedback loop was described in which VEGF activated Nrf2 in an ERK1/2-dependent manner; the up-regulation of HO-1 expression by Nrf2 augmented the production of carbon monoxide, which in turn up-regulated VEGF expression. In conclusion, VEGF induces the Nrf2 pathway to protect against oxidative stress and, via a positive feedback loop, to elevate VEGF expression. Therefore, decreased VEGF bioavailability during preeclampsia may result in higher vulnerability to placental oxidative cell damage and a further reduction of VEGF bioavailability, a vicious circle that may end up in preeclampsia.     

Eriodictyol protects against H(2)O(2)-induced neuron-like PC12 cell death through activation of Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway

Eriodictyol, a flavonoid isolated from the Chinese herb Dracocephalum rupestre has long been established as an antioxidant. The present study was designed to explore the protective effects of eriodictyol against hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced neurotoxicity with cultured rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells) and the possible mechanisms involved. For this purpose, differentiated PC12 cells were cultured and exposed to 200 μM H(2)O(2) in the absence or presence of eriodictyol (20, 40 and 80 μM). In addition, the potential contribution of the Nrf2/ARE neuroprotective pathway in eriodictyol-mediated protection against H(2)O(2)-induced neurotoxicity was also investigated. The results showed that H(2)O(2)-induced cell death can be inhibited in the presence of eriodictyol as measured by assays for MTT and apoptosis. Further study revealed that eriodictyol induced the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, enhanced the expression of heme oxygenase (HO-1) and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS), and increased the levels of intracellular glutathione. Treatment of PC12 cells with Nrf2 small interference RNA abolished eriodictyol-induced HO-1 and γ-GCS expression and its protective effects. In conclusion, these results suggest that eriodictyol upregulates HO-1 and γ-GCS expression through the activation of Nrf2/ARE pathway and protects PC12 cells against H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative stress.