Mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and apoptotic induction in microglial BV-2 cells treated with sodium arsenate

The treatment of microglial BV-2 cells with sodiumarsenate (As(V): 0.1-400 mu mol/L-48 hr) induces a dose-dependent response. The neurotoxic effects of high concentrations of As(V) (100, 200 and 400 mu mol/L) are characterized by increased levels of mitochondrial complexes I, II, and IV followed by increased superoxide anion generation. Moreover, As(V) triggers an apoptotic mode of cell death, demonstrated by an apoptotic SubG1 peak, associated with an alteration of plasma membrane integrity. There is also a decrease in transmembrane mitochondrial potential and mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate ATP. It is therefore tempting to speculate that As(V) triggers mitochondrial dysfunction, which may lead to defective oxidative phosphorylation subsequently causing mitochondrial oxidative damage, which in turn induces an apoptotic mode of cell death. (C) 2016 The Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V.