Desipramine-induced Ca-independent apoptosis in Mg63 human osteosarcoma cells: dependence on P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-regulated activation of caspase 3.

1. It has been shown that the antidepressant desipramine is able to induce increases in [Ca(2+)](i) and cell death in MG63 human osteosacroma cells, but whether apoptosis is involved is unclear. In the present study, the effect of desipramine on apoptosis and the underlying mechanisms were explored.

Desipramine-induced apoptosis in human PC3 prostate cancer cells: activation of JNK kinase and caspase-3 pathways and a protective role of [Ca2+]i elevation.

The antidepressant desipramine has been shown to induce a rise in cytosolic Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) and cytotoxicity in human PC3 prostate cancer cells, but the mechanisms underlying its cytotoxic effect is unclear. Cell viability was examined by WST-1 assays. Apoptosis was assessed by propidium iodide staining and an increase in caspase-3 activation.