Role of paraoxonase-1 in the protection of hydrogen sulfide-donating sildenafil (ACS6) against homocysteine-induced neurotoxicity

J Mol Neurosci. 2013 May;50(1):70-7. doi: 10.1007/s12031-012-9862-x. Epub 2012 Jul 29.

Abstract

ACS6, a novel hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-releasing sildenafil, has been demonstrated to inhibit superoxide formation through donating H2S. We have previously found that ACS6 antagonizes homocysteine-induced apoptosis and cytotoxicity. The aim of the present study is to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying ACS6-exerted protective action against the neurotoxicity of homocysteine. In the present work, we used PC12 cells to explore whether paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) is implicated in ACS6-induced neuroprotection against homocysteine neurotoxicity. We show that ACS6 treatment results in prevention of homocysteine-caused neurotoxicity and overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Homocysteine downregulates the expression and activity of PON-1; however, this effect is significantly blocked by co-treatment with ACS6. The specific inhibitor of PON-1 2-hydroxyquinoline reverses the inhibitory effect of ACS6 on homocysteine-induced neurotoxicity and intracellular ROS accumulation. These results indicate that ACS6 protects PC12 cells against homocysteine-induced neurotoxicity by upregulating PON-1 and suggest a promising role of PON-1 as a novel therapeutic strategy for homocysteine-induced toxicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Aryldialkylphosphatase / drug effects*
  • Aryldialkylphosphatase / genetics
  • Aryldialkylphosphatase / metabolism
  • Homocysteine / toxicity*
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • PC12 Cells
  • Piperazines / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Sulfones / pharmacology*

Substances

  • 1-piperazineacetic acid 4-((3-(4,7-dihydro-1-methyl-7-oxo-3-propyl-1H-pyrazolo(4,3-d)pyrimidin-5-yl)-4-ethoxyphenyl)sulfonyl)-4-(3-thioxo-3H-1,2-dithiol-5-yl)phenyl ester
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Piperazines
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Sulfones
  • Homocysteine
  • Pon1 protein, rat
  • Aryldialkylphosphatase