Objective: To investigate the effect of paraquat on induction of cell damage and miR-133b expression in PC12 cells.
Methods: Cytotoxicity of PC12 cells was measured by MTT assay, following the PC12 cells treatment with 50, 100, or 300 µmol/L paraquat. Cell apoptosis was examined by the method of Annexin V-FITC/PI in flow cytometry (FCM) and the relative level of miR-133b expression was measured by real time RT-PCR, following the PC12 cells treatment with 100 or 300 µmol/L paraquat.
Results: Survival rate of PC12 cells treated with 100 or 300 µmol/L paraquat was lower than that of the vehicle control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), in the dose dependent pattern. Apoptotic rate of PC12 cells treated with 100, 300 µmol/L paraquat was higher than that of the vehicle control group (P < 0.05). The relative level of miR-133b expression of PC12 cells treated with 300 µmol/L paraquat was higher than that of the vehicle control group (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Paraquat may cause cell damage and induce apoptosis in PC12 cells, and induce miR-133b expression.