Satratoxin H generates reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides in PC12 cells.

Satratoxin H, a mycotoxin, is thought to induce apoptosis of PC12 cells through the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in a glutathione (GSH)-sensitive manner. The present study was undertaken to further elucidate the mechanism by which satratoxin H induces cell death in PC12 cells. Satratoxin H caused apoptosis of PC12 cells within 24-h, as determined by DNA fragmentation and flow cytometric analysis. Satratoxin H increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and lipid peroxidation, as determined by malondialdehyde formation. These effects were attenuated by incubation of cells with GSH, suggesting that satratoxin H-induced increase in apoptosis of serum-deprived PC12 cells may be partially mediated through the generation of ROS.