Dimethyl Sulfoxide Damages Mitochondrial Integrity and Membrane Potential in Cultured Astrocytes |
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| Authors: | Chan Yuan Junying Gao Jichao Guo Lei Bai Charles Marshall Zhiyou Cai Linmei Wang Ming Xiao |
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| Institution: | 1. Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Department of Anatomy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.; 2. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Kentucky Center For Excellence in Rural Health, Hazard, Kentucky, United States of America.; 3. Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Lu''an People''s Hospital, Lu''an, Anhui, China.; University of Nebraska Medical Center, United States of America, |
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| 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. |
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