Docosahexaenoic acid induces apoptosis via the Bax-independent pathway in HL-60 cells.

We attempted to determine whether docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-induced apoptosis is mediated via the Bax-mediated pathway in human myeloid leukemia HL-60 cells. DHA-induced apoptosis was confirmed by morphological analysis and caspase-3 activation. But, cyclosporin A (CsA), an inhibitor of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), did not inhibit DHA-induced Bax translocation to mitochondria or caspase-3 activation. These data suggest that DHA can induce apoptosis via the Bax-independent pathway.