Effects of tributyltin chloride on L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells

Tributyltin chloride (TBTC) at concentrations of 0.5–1.0 μM inhibits dopamine biosynthesis in PC12 cells. In this study, the effects of TBTC on L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA)-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells were investigated. TBTC at concentrations up to 1.0 μM neither affected cell viability, nor induced apoptosis after 24 or 48 h in PC12 cells. However, TBTC at concentrations higher than 2.0 μM caused cytotoxicity through an apoptotic process. In addition, exposure of PC12 cells to non-cytotoxic (0.5 and 1.0 μM) or cytotoxic (2.0 μM) concentrations of TBTC in combination with L-DOPA (20, 50 and 100 μM) resulted in a significant increase in cell loss and the percentage of apoptotic cells after 24 or 48 h compared with TBTC or L-DOPA alone. The enhancing effects of TBTC on L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity were concentration- and treatment time-dependent. These data demonstrate that TBTC enhances L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC 12 cells.