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Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Induction and Analysis of Oxidative Stress in Sleeping Beauty Transposon-Transfected Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells
Published on: December 11, 2020
Pyruvate prevents hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis
N Ramakrishnan1, R Chen, D E McClain
1Department of Applied Cellular Radiobiology, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20889-5603, USA. Rama@mx.afrri.usuhs.mil
Abstract:
Studies were carried out to investigate the protective effects of pyruvate, a key glycolytic intermediate and alpha-keto-monocarboxylate, against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. Oxidative stress was induced by treating mouse thymocytes with 25 microM hydrogen peroxide for 15 min at 37 degrees C under 5% CO2 in air. Pre- and post-treatment of cells with 10 mM pyruvate inhibited morphological changes, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, and translocation of phosphatidylserine to the plasma membrane surface, which are characteristic features of apoptosis. L-lactate (10 mM) and acetate (10 mM) were ineffective in inhibiting apoptosis and appeared to be toxic to the cells under similar conditions. The results suggest that pyruvate has therapeutic potential for use in the treatment of oxidative stress-induced disorders associated with increased apoptosis.
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