Actovegin protects human neuroblastoma cells SK-N-SH from apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide through the PI3K and p38 MAPK signaling pathways

Abstract

Neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) are associated with an increased production of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which is an inducer of apoptosis in various cell types including CNS. Previously it was shown that actovegin (deproteinized calf blood hemodialysate) reduces neuronal apoptosis, but the mechanism of its protective action is still poorly understood. The effect of actovegin on the apoptosis of SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells was studied in the present work. The role of different intracellular signaling pathways involving mitogen-activated protein kinases was analyzed using selective inhibitors. Our data show that the signaling pathways involving p38 MAPK and PI3K play the key role in the protective effect of actovegin against hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in SK-N-SH cells.