Cited 53 times since 1999 (2.1 per year) source: EuropePMC FEBS letters, Volume 443, Issue 2, 1 1 1999, Pages 235-239 Apocynin increases glutathione synthesis and activates AP-1 in alveolar epithelial cells. Lapperre TS, Jimenez LA, Antonicelli F, Drost EM, Hiemstra PS, Stolk J, MacNee W, Rahman I
Apocynin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-acetophenone) is a potent intracellular inhibitor of superoxide anion production in neutrophils. In this study, we studied the effect of apocynin on the regulation of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) and activation of the transcription factor AP-I in human alveolar epithelial cells (A549). Apocynin enhanced intracellular GSH by increasing gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase activity in A549 cells. Apocynin also increased the expression of gamma-GCS heavy subunit mRNA. This was associated with increased AP-1 DNA binding as measured by the electrophoretic mobility shift assay. These data indicate that apocynin displays antioxidant properties, in part, by increasing glutathione synthesis through activation of AP-1.
