The poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase inhibitor gallotannin blocks oxidative astrocyte death

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is now recognized as an important mediator of cell death, but a role for poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG) in fell death has not previously been described. PARG is the key enzyme degrading ADP-ribose polymers produced by PARP. Here we report effects of the PARG inhibitor gallotannin on oxidative cell death. Preincubation of cultured murine astrocytes with as little as 100 nM gallotannin produced significant reductions in H2O2-induced cell death assessed both 24 and 72 h after H2O2 exposure. Gallotannin was more than 10-fold more potent than the PARP inhibitor benzamide in preventing H2O2-induced cell death. These results provide the first evidence that PARG inhibitors could be used to prevent oxidative cell death. NeuroReport 11:1385-1388 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.