Oxidized proteins in astrocytes generated in a hyperbaric atmosphere induce neuronal apoptosis.

In the present study, we investigated the influence of the oxidative damage to astrocytes on neuronal cell survival using cultures of rat cerebral astrocytes and neurons. The exposure of astrocytes to hyperbaric oxygen induced a time-dependent apoptotic cell death, as observed by DNA ladder assessment. When astrocytes damaged by oxidative stress were cocultured with normal neurons from the cerebrum of a newborn rat, neuronal cell death was markedly induced, although normal astrocytes not subjected to hyperoxia cocultured with normal neurons showed no neuronal cell apoptosis.