Preincubation with atrial natriuretic peptide protects NG108-15 cells against the toxic/proapoptotic effects of the nitric oxide donor S-nitroso- N-acetylpenicillamine.

The TUNEL method is used to quantify the proapoptotic effects of an NO donor, S-nitroso- N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), in NG108-15 cells. Unlike sodium nitroprusside used in previous studies, SNAP does not release cyanide along with NO, thus NO toxicity was determined without concurrent cyanide toxicity. The present study also determined if pretreatment with ANP could protect against NO-induced apoptosis in NG108-15 cells.