Inducible nitric oxide synthase and Fas/FasL with C3 expression of mouse retinal pigment epithelial cells in response to stimulation by peroxynitrite and antagonism of puerarin.

Abstract

ONOO(-) expresseion in RPE cells may constitute the new way of oxidant stress. Fas/FasL signal transduction pathway and C3 may affect and reinforce apoptosis mediated by ONOO(-). Puerarin could reverse ONOO(-) damage on RPE cells. The antagonizing mechanism of puerarin may be related to its inhibitory to the expression of iNOS mRNA, and therefore decrease ONOO(-) formation as well as directly antagonize the effect of ONOO(-). Furthermore, puerarin may be an useful therapeutic agent against apoptosis of RPE cells.