Phenylarsine Oxide and Ethanol Prevent Cell Death of Porcine Polymorphonuclear Leucocytes Induced by Phorbol Myristate Acetate

Abstract

In this study, we report that phenylarsine oxide and ethanol, both of which suppress a number of polymorphonuclear leucocyte functions including superoxide production, prevented the phorbol myristate acetate-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner. These reagents had an inhibitory effect even after polymorphonuclear leucocytes were stimulated to produce superoxide by treatment with phorbol myristate acetate. The results indicate that activation of protein kinase C and subsequent superoxide release do not directly cause phorbol myristate acetate-induced cell death. Phenylarsine oxide or ethanol prevents cell death by affecting pathways downstream from those involved in the superoxide production.