TESTOSTERONE EXERTS ANTI-APOPTOTIC EFFECTS AGAINST H2O2 IN C2C12 SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLS THROUGH THE APOPTOTIC INTRINSIC PATHWAY

PRONSATO, LUCÍA; BOLAND, RICARDO; MILANESI, LORENA (CORRESPONDING AUTHOR)

JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY

BIOSCIENTIFICA LTD

Año: 2012 vol. 212 p. 371 - 381

0022-0795

Experimental data indicate that apoptosis is activated in the aged skeletal muscle, contributing to sarcopenia. We have previously demonstrated that testosterone protects against H2O2-induced apoptosis in C2C12 muscle cells. Here we identified molecular events involved in the anti-apoptotic effect of testosterone. At short times of exposure to H2O2 cells exhibit a defense response but at longer treatment times cells undergo into apoptosis. Incubation with testosterone prior to H2O2, induces Bad inactivation, inhibition of PARP cleavage, a decrease in Bax levels and impedes the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, suggesting that the hormone participates in the regulation of the apoptotic intrinsic pathway. Simultaneous treatment with testosterone, H2O2 and the AR antagonist, flutamide, reduce the effects of the hormone, pointing to a possible participation of the AR in the anti-apoptotic effect. The data presented allow us to begin to elucidate the mechanism by which the hormone prevents apoptosis in skeletal muscle.