Reactive oxygen species are involved in lysophosphatidic acid-induced apoptosis in rat cerebellar granule cells

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) induced apoptosis in primary rat cerebellar granule cells, which was characterized morphologically by chromatin condensation and the formation of apoptotic bodies. With redox-sensitive fluorescence probes DCFH-DA and DHR123, the formation of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) inside cells during the apoptosis process was monitored by laser confocal scanning microscopy (LCSM). Pretreatment with the antioxidant tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) could effectively inhibit the formation of endogenous ROS and protect neurons from apoptosis. The results suggest that ROS might be involved in LPA-induced apoptosis in neurons.