The involvement of ROS overproduction and mitochondrial dysfunction in PBDE-47-induced apoptosis on Jurkat cells

2,2′,4,4′-Tetrabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE-47), as one of the congeners of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), is widely present and threatens the human health in many aspects. This study aims to investigate the toxic effects of PBDE-47 on cell viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of Jurkat cells in vitro. The results showed that PBDE-47 significantly inhibited the viability of Jurkat cells in a dose-dependent manner by alamar blue assay. Significant induction of apoptosis was detected in Jurkat cells at 25–100 μM by propidium iodide staining, accompanied with overproduction of ROS and downregulation of MMP. Furthermore, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a widely used ROS scavenger, significantly reduced the PBDE-47-induced apoptosis by decreasing ROS level and mediating recovery of the MMP. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that PBDE-47 could induce apoptosis in Jurkat cells and ROS and mitochondrial dysfunction play important roles in the apoptotic process.