The present study aimed at understanding the effects of arachidonic acid peroxides on neuronal cell death using the mouse neuroblastoma cell line, Neuro-2A cells. Arachidonic acid peroxides were produced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV-radiated arachidonic acid significantly reduced Neuro-2A cell viability at concentrations of more than 0.1 muM, with being more potential than non-radiated arachidonic acid. Nuclei of Neuro-2A cells killed with UV-radiated arachidonic acid were reactive to Hoechst 33342, a marker of apoptosis, and the effect was much greater than that achieved with non-radiated arachidonic acid. UV-radiated arachidonic acid persistently increased intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations and dissipated mitochondrial membrane potential in Neuro-2A cells. UV-radiated arachidonic acid-induced Neuro-2A cell death, whereas it was not affected by a pancaspase inhibitor or a caspase-3 inhibitor, was significantly inhibited by an inhibitor of caspase-1, -8, or -9. The results of the present study suggest that arachidonic acid peroxides induce apoptotic neuronal cell death in association with intracellular Ca(2+) rise and mitochondrial damage, in part via a caspase-dependent pathway regardless of caspase-3.