EPC-K1 Prevents ONOO(-)-induced Apoptosis in Cerebellar Granule Neurons.

The cytotoxic effect of peroxynitrite on cerebellar granule neurons was studied. Exposure of cerebellar granule neurons to 10 &mgr;mol/L peroxynitrite triggered apoptosis in vitro, which was confirmed by both morphological (nuclear morphology observed by fluorescence microscopy) and biochemical evidence (DNA fragmentation detected by ELISA). Using ESR spin labeling technique, the alteration of biophysical characteristics of neuronal cell membrane during the apoptotic process was studied.