Role of hydrogen peroxide for cell death induction by sodium 5,6-benzylidene-L-ascorbate

The role of hydrogen peroxide in the induction of cell death in human promyelocytic leukemic HL-60 cells by sodium 5,6-benzylidene-L-ascorbate (SBA) and its degradation product, ascorbic acid, was investigated. Millimolar concentrations of these compounds induced cell death, characterized by cell shrinkage, nuclear and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, disappearance of microvilli and condensation of chromatin near the nuclear membrane. Catalase significantly reduced the cytotoxic activity of these compounds, whereas superoxide dismutase, nitric oxide (NO) generator, NO scavenger and NO synthase inhibitor were inactive, suggesting the possible role of H2O2. Determination of H2O2 with the peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence demonstrated that sodium ascorbate and SBA produced H2O2 in amounts necessary for cell death induction.