血卟啉甲醚声动力诱导体外C6胶质瘤细胞凋亡与蛋白Bcl-2/Bax表达

目的 探讨血卟啉甲醚声动力疗法(sonodynamic theraoy,SDT)对体外C6胶质瘤细胞的促凋亡作用及蛋白Bcl-2/Bax表达.方法 取处于对数生长期C6胶质瘤细胞接种于96孔6孔培养板上.采用噻唑蓝比色分析法(MTT)观察不同时间超声辐照后细胞存活率,筛选最佳照射时间;流式细胞仪检测24 h后对照组(control)、血卟啉甲醚组(hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether ,HMME)、单纯超声组(ultrasound)、超声联合HMME组(SDT)C6胶质瘤细胞凋亡率;Western blot 检测凋亡蛋白Bcl-2、Bax的表达.结果 当超声频率为1.0 MHz,声强为1.0 W/cm2 ,MTT筛选60s为最佳辐照时间.同对照组、HMME及单纯超声组比较,SDT组凋亡率明显增高(P<0. 05),同时伴有凋亡蛋白Bax,上调表达,Bcl-2下调表达.结论 血卟啉甲醚声动力诱导体外C6胶质瘤细胞凋亡,Bcl-2/Bax参与并调节凋亡过程.     

马钱子碱对人慢性粒细胞白血病KCL-22细胞的增殖及凋亡作用

目的 探索马钱子碱对人慢性粒细胞白血病KCL-22细胞的增殖抑制及诱导凋亡作用,为白血病的治疗提供新的方向。方法 体外培养白血病KCL-22细胞株,采用MTS法检测不同浓度马钱子碱对KCL-22细胞增殖的影响; 通过FITC-Annexin V/PI双染法检测不同浓度马钱子碱处理后细胞的凋亡作用; 运用Western blotting法检测凋亡相关蛋白的表达水平变化。结果 马钱子碱可明显抑制KCL-22细胞增殖,且具有浓度和时间依赖性。马钱子碱可诱导KCL-22细胞发生凋亡,并以早期凋亡为主,在50～400 μg/ml范围内呈剂量效应关系。经马钱子碱处理后,Bcl-2蛋白表达降低、Bax和Cyt-C蛋白表达增高,Caspase-9,Caspase-3均被切割活化。结论 马钱子碱可显著抑制慢性白血病KCL-22细胞增殖,并可能通过调控Bax/Bcl-2平衡、释放Cyt-C及激活Caspase-3,9依赖的内源性线粒体途径诱导细胞凋亡。     

Smac——一种新的促凋亡蛋白

Smac(DIABLO)是一种新发现的线粒体蛋白．在细胞发生凋亡时与细胞色素c一同释放入胞浆．在细胞色素c／Apaf-1／Caspase-9凋亡途径中促进Caspase的激活。Smac通过解除凋亡抑制蛋白对Caspase-3，-7，-9的抑制作用而诱导凋亡。Smac高表达可增加细胞对凋亡刺激的敏感性。Smac可促进化疗药物、TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand诱导的凋亡．对肿瘤的治疗有重要的意义。     

Smac--一种新的促凋亡蛋白

Smac(DIABLO)是一种新发现的线粒体蛋白,在细胞发生凋亡时与细胞色素c一同释放入胞浆,在细胞色素c/Apaf-1/Caspase-9凋亡途径中促进Caspase的激活.Smac通过解除凋亡抑制蛋白对Caspase 3,-7,-9的抑制作用而诱导凋亡.Smac高表达可增加细胞对凋亡刺激的敏感性.Smac可促进化疗药物、TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand诱导的凋亡,对肿瘤的治疗有重要的意义.     

紫草素对人非小细胞肺癌A549细胞增殖与凋亡的影响

目的研究紫草素对人非小细胞肺癌A549细胞增殖与凋亡的影响。方法利用四甲基偶氮唑盐(MTT比色法研究不同剂量紫草素(0μm、5μm、10μm、20μm)对肺癌A549细胞的增殖作用;通过膜联蛋白V-异硫氰酸荧光素(Annexin V-FITC)染色法进行细胞形态学分析;采用流式细胞术进行细胞凋亡分析; Western blot方法检测细胞色素C、Bcl-2/Bax、活化的含半胱氨酸的天冬氨酸蛋白水解酶9(cleaved Caspase-9)及活化的含半胱氨酸的天冬氨酸蛋白水解酶3(cleaved Caspase-3)蛋白表达变化;构建人非小细胞肺癌A549细胞裸鼠皮下移植瘤模型,分析不同剂量的紫草素的抑瘤作用。结果 MTT检测发现0μm、5μm、10μm、20μm紫草素处理后的A549细胞生长受到显著抑制,且表现出明显的剂量依赖性[(96. 25±3. 18)%、(87. 62±3. 21)%、(73. 57±2. 89)%和(59. 58±1. 87)%](P 0. 05);形态学染色和流式细胞术表明紫草素能够诱导肺癌A549细胞发生剂量依赖性凋亡[(1. 25±0. 78)%、(12. 37±3. 23)%、(22. 89±2. 23)%和(37. 62±5. 23)%](P 0. 05); Westernblot结果显示紫草素能够促进细胞色素C的释放,抑制Bcl-2蛋白表达,上调Bax、cleaved-caspase-9及cleaved-caspase-3蛋白表达量(P 0. 01);荷瘤鼠模型显示随着剂量的增加,移植瘤的质量明显降低(P 0. 05),抑瘤率显著增高(P 0. 05)。结论紫草素能够呈剂量依赖性促进人非小细胞肺癌A549细胞色素C的释放,抑制抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2的表达,上调Bax、cleaved-caspase-9及cleaved-caspase-3蛋白表达量,激活细胞线粒体凋亡途径,诱导细胞凋亡,抑制肺癌A549细胞增殖。     

细胞色素C释放与白内障晶状体上皮细胞凋亡

白内障致盲占致盲眼病的25％～50％。有文献报道，晶状体上皮细胞凋亡可能为非先天性白内障形成的共同的细胞学基础。近年来研究表明，线粒体结构和功能障碍是各种刺激因素诱导细胞凋亡的中心事件，而位于线粒体内的细胞色素C的释放又是线粒体凋亡途径中的一个早期事件。关于细胞色素C的生化特征及其在细胞凋亡中的作用研究已取得了较大进展。研究发现在哺乳动物的细胞凋亡过程中，氧化损伤等刺激因素可诱导位于线粒体膜间腔的细胞色素C释放到胞浆中，促使Caspase-9和Apaf-1通过它们各自相应的结构域互相结合，从而激活Caspase-9，紧接着，活性Caspase一9又切割和激活Caspase-3。活化的Caspase-3可引起多聚ADP核糖聚合酶断裂，核小体间DNA水解、细胞皱缩、染色质边集、核碎裂等，导致凋亡的发生。抑制细胞色素C的释放有希望为因细胞过度凋亡所致疾病的治疗提供新的途径。就细胞色素C的生物学特性及其释放在白内障晶状体上皮细胞凋亡中的作用作一综述。     

线粒体在细胞凋亡机制中的作用

细胞凋亡过程中许多重要事件的发生都与线粒体密切相关，本文就线粒体形态、通透性转换孔、膜电位的改变。细胞色素C（Cyt C）的释放，mtDNA的损伤以及Bcl-2基因家族对凋亡的调控在细胞凋亡机制中的作用作一综述。     

刺参酸性黏多糖对宫颈癌HeLa细胞凋亡及Bax、Bcl-2基因表达的影响

目的:研究刺参酸性黏多糖(SJAMP)对人宫颈癌HeLa细胞的诱导凋亡作用并探讨其对凋亡相关基因Bax和Bcl-2表达的影响.方法:体外培养HeLa细胞:采用Hoechst 33258荧光染色检测SJAMP作用前后的细胞凋亡情况;流式细胞仪检测sJAMP作用HeLa细胞后线粒体膜电位(△ψm)的变化,Western Blot检测SJAMP对HeLa细胞作用后凋亡相关蛋白Bax,Bcl-2的表达.结果:荧光显微镜下可观察到细胞凋亡的形态学改变;与对照组比,各SJAMP浓度组均能降低HeLa细胞的线粒体膜电位;随着SJAMP作用浓度的增加,Bcl-2的表达减少,而Bax基因的表达增加.结论:SJAMP在体外可诱导HeLa细胞凋亡,其凋亡分子机制可能是因为对Bax、Bcl-2表达调控,改变线粒体跨膜电位诱导其凋亡.     

线粒体膜电位在高三尖杉酯碱诱导T-淋巴细胞白血病细胞Molt-3凋亡中的作用

目的 研究线粒体膜电位（Mitochondrial membrane potential,MMP)改变在高三尖杉酯碱（HHT）诱导的细胞凋亡中的作用。方法 用膜联蛋白V染色,流式细胞仪和共聚焦激光扫描显微镜等手段观察Bax、 细胞色素C等在HHT诱导T－淋巴细胞白血病细胞（Molt-3）凋亡过程中与线粒体膜电位的关系。结果 发现HHT诱导细胞早期凋亡的同时,Bax从胞浆易位至线粒体,线粒体膜电位下降,同时细胞色素C从线粒体膜释放到胞浆。结论 线粒体膜电位下降是HHT诱导T－淋巴细胞凋亡的重要环节。     

苯乙酸对胶质瘤C6细胞中Bcl-2、Bax和Caspase-3表达的影响

目的:观察诱导分化剂苯乙酸(phenylacetate,PA)对Bcl-2、Bax和Caspase-3表达的影响,探讨PA诱导胶质瘤C6细胞凋亡的机制.方法:体外培养胶质瘤C6细胞,实验组给予PA浓度5.0 mmol/L诱导72 h,对照组不用PA,用原位杂交检测Bcl-2、Bax和Caspase-3 mRNA的表达,图像分析比较表达水平的差异.结果:两组比较,Bcl-2无明显变化(P＞0.05),实验组的Bax和Caspase-3表达增强(P＜0.01).结论:PA能增强Bax和Caspase-3的表达,其诱导胶质瘤C6细胞凋亡的机制可能与此有关.     

川芎嗪干预钝性肺挫伤急性期大鼠肺组织细胞的凋亡

背景：急性胸部撞击后所致的肺挫伤（钝性肺挫伤）常引起呼吸功能异常和继发性炎性反应,并参与全身炎性反应综合征和多器官功能障碍综合征,其发病原因及致病机制亟待明确。目的：观察胸部撞击所致钝性肺挫伤急性期细胞凋亡的变化及其川芎嗪对其的影响。方法：健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型组、川芎嗪治疗组,后两组制备胸部撞击伤模型,川芎嗪治疗组建模后立即腹腔注射川芎嗪80mg／kg1次。在创伤发生后1,2,3h观察肺组织病理形态学及细胞凋亡的改变、检测肺水肿程度和肺血管通透性改变,免疫组织化学检测肺组织Bcl-2、Bax和Caspase-3的表达及血液中肿瘤坏死因子α水平变化。结果与结论：模型组肿瘤坏死因子α水平在创伤后1h即显著增加,创伤后2h及3h间急剧增加（P〈0．05）;创伤后2h及3h肺组织细胞凋亡指数及肺组织损伤程度显著增高（均P〈0．05）;肺血管通透性及肺水肿程度增加（P〈0．05）;Caspase-3表达显著增高（P〈0．05）,Bcl-2／Bax比值显著降低（P〈0．05）。川芎嗪治疗组在相应时间点相对于模型组肿瘤坏死因子α水平显著降低（P〈0．05）,肺组织内细胞凋亡指数及肺组织损伤程度降低（P〈0．05）,肺血管通透性及肺水肿程度减轻（P〈0．05）;Caspase-3表达下降（P〈0．05）,Bcl-2／Bax比值增加（P〈0．01）。结果提示,川芎嗪可通过抑制肿瘤坏死因子CI表达,下调Caspase-3的表达并提高Bcl-2／Bax的比值,以降低胸部撞击所致肺组织急性期的异常凋亡并减轻胸部撞击所致急性期肺挫伤。     

超声微泡介导尼卡地平对大鼠缺血再灌注心肌细胞凋亡及相关基因表达的影响

目的探讨超声破坏微泡介导尼卡地平对大鼠急性缺血再灌注心肌细胞凋亡及相关基因Bcl-2,Bax表达的影响。方法60只SD大鼠随机分空白对照、假手术、缺血再灌注、尼卡地平、超声微泡、超声微泡介导尼卡地平六组。阻断左冠状动脉前降支40min,再灌注120min,建立在体急性心肌缺血再灌注模型。TUNEL法检测凋亡心肌细胞,SABC免疫组化法检测Bcl-2、Bax基因表达。结果缺血再灌注诱导心肌细胞凋亡,尼卡地平可减少其发生,上调Bcl-2基因表达,下调Bax基因表达,超声微泡介导可进一步减少凋亡发生。结论尼卡地平可上调Bcl-2并下调Bax基因表达,升高Bcl-2/Bax比值,显著减少缺血再灌注诱导心肌细胞凋亡,通过超声微泡介导,可增强尼卡地平抗凋亡作用。     

Oligomycin and antimycin A prevent nitric oxide-induced apoptosis by blocking cytochrome C leakage

Nitric oxide (NO) is a potent inducer of apoptosis, and its cytotoxicity is closely related to mitochondrial dysfunction. In this study we investigated the effects of a F0F1-ATPase inhibitor, oligomycin, and a mitochondrial respiratory chain complex III inhibitor, antimycin A, on NO-induced apoptosis. We used a normal rat gastric-epithelium cell line, RGM-1, treated with a pure NO donor, NOC-1 —1-hydroxy-2-oxo-3,3-bis(2-aminoethyl)-1-triazene — in the presence or absence of oligomycin or antimycin A. Changes in the expressions of Bax or Bcl-2 proteins, release of cytochrome C from mitochondria into the cytosol, activation of caspase-3, and changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ) were measured with the use of Western blotting, c43 lorimetric assays, and a mitochondrial potential sensor, JC-1 dye. Treatment with NOC-18 induced dose-dependent apoptotic cell death in RGM-1 cells. Cell death was accompanied by mitochondrial depolarization, increases in Bax protein expression and cytochrome C leakage, and, subsequently, caspase-3 activation. Oligomycin and antimycin A prevented NO-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent fashion by preventing cytochrome C release independent of Bcl-2 expression. However, neither compound affected the up-regulation of Bax protein. On the one hand, oligomycin treatment was not accompanied by a decline in ΔΨ. On the other hand, antimycin A treatment decreased ΔΨ regardless of NOC-18 treatment. The findings of this study suggest that various functional molecules that constitute the mitochondrial respiratory chain may contribute to cytochrome C release that occurs during NO-induced apoptosis.     

葛根素对心肌缺血再灌注大鼠心肌组织Bcl-2、Bax和Caspase-3表达水平的影响

目的探讨葛根素对心肌缺血再灌注大鼠心肌组织细胞凋亡的影响。方法以雄性Wistar大鼠为研究对象,将实验动物分为5组：即假手术组、心肌缺血再灌注模型组（I/P）、葛根素2mg/Kg给药组（A组）、葛根素5mg/Kg给药组（B组）和葛根素10mg/Kg给药组（C组）。采用结扎大鼠冠状动脉左前降支（LAD）的方法,建立大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤模型;采用免疫组织化学方法检测,大鼠心肌组织中Bcl-2、Bax和Caspase-3的蛋白含量采用RT-PCR法,检测大鼠心肌组织中Bcl-2、Bax和Caspase-3mRNA的表达水平。结果与假手术组相比较,心肌缺血再灌注模型组Bcl-2、Caspase-3的蛋白含量和Bcl-2、Caspase-3mRNA的表达水平均显著降低（P〈0.01）,而Bax的蛋白含量和BaxmRNA的表达水平均显著升高（P〈0.01）;B、C组Bcl-2、Bax、Caspase-3的蛋白含量和Bcl-2、Bax、Caspase-3mRNA的表达水平均未见显著差异（P〉0.01）;A组Bcl-2、Caspase-3的蛋白含量和Bcl-2、Caspase-3mRNA的表达水平均显著降低（P〈0.01）,而Bax的蛋白含量和Bax mRNA的表达水平均显著升高（P〈0.01）。结论葛根素能够通过提高Bcl-2、Caspase-3的表达及降低Bax的表达调控心肌组织细胞的凋亡,从而起到保护心肌组织的功能。     

Bcl-2 inhibits the mitochondrial release of an apoptogenic protease

Bcl-2 belongs to a family of apoptosis-regulatory proteins which incorporate into the outer mitochondrial as well as nuclear membranes. The mechanism by which the proto-oncogene product Bcl-2 inhibits apoptosis is thus far elusive. We and others have shown previously that the first biochemical alteration detectable in cells undergoing apoptosis, well before nuclear changes become manifest, is a collapse of the mitochondrial inner membrane potential (delta psi m), suggesting the involvement of mitochondrial products in the apoptotic cascade. Here we show that mitochondria contain a pre-formed approximately 50-kD protein which is released upon delta psi m disruption and which, in a cell-free in vitro system, causes isolated nuclei to undergo apoptotic changes such as chromatin condensation and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. This apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) is blocked by N- benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp.fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD.fmk), an antagonist of interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme (ICE)-like proteases that is also an efficient inhibitor of apoptosis in cells. We have tested the effect of Bcl-2 on the formation, release, and action of AIF. When preventing mitochondrial permeability transition (which accounts for the pre-apoptotic delta psi m disruption in cells), Bcl-2 hyperexpressed in the outer mitochondrial membrane also impedes the release of AIF from isolated mitochondria in vitro. In contrast, Bcl-2 does not affect the formation of AIF, which is contained in comparable quantities in control mitochondria and in mitochondria from Bcl-2- hyperexpressing cells. Furthermore, the presence of Bcl-2 in the nuclear membrane does not interfere with the action of AIF on the nucleus, nor does Bcl-2 hyperexpression protect cells against AIF. It thus appears that Bcl-2 prevents apoptosis by favoring the retention of an apoptogenic protease in mitochondria.     

SB203580对肠缺血再灌注大鼠p38 MAPK及细胞凋亡的影响

目的：探讨大鼠肠缺血再灌注（IR）时p38 MAPK特异性抑制剂SB203580对p38 MAPK、凋亡调控因子及凋亡细胞表达的影响。方法：Wistar大鼠30只随机分为对照组（C组）、缺血再灌注组（Ⅰ组）和SB203580组（S组）（n=10）,采用肠IR模型检测p38 MAPK、Bcl-2、Bax、TNF-及凋亡指数的水平。结果：Ⅰ组中p38 MAPK、凋亡调控因子及凋亡细胞的表达均显著高于C组（P〈0.05）,而S组中p38 MAPK、TNF-α及凋亡细胞的表达减少,Bcl-2/Bax比值增高（P〈0.05）。结论：SB203580抑制了小肠组织中p38 MAPK通路的活化,从而增加了Bcl-2的表达、减少了Bax和TNF-α的释放,在缓解细胞凋亡的过程中起到了重要的作用。     

The histone deacetylase inhibitor suberic bishydroxamate regulates the expression of multiple apoptotic mediators and induces mitochondria-dependent apoptosis of melanoma cells

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have attracted much interest because of their ability to arrest cell growth, induce cell differentiation, and in some cases, induce apoptosis of cancer cells. In the present study, we have examined a new HDAC inhibitor, suberic bishydroxamate (SBHA), for its effect on a panel of human melanoma cell lines. We report that it induces varying degrees of apoptosis in the melanoma lines but not in melanocytes and fibroblasts. Induction of apoptosis was caspase dependent and was associated with induction of changes in mitochondrial membrane permeability, which could be inhibited by overexpression of Bcl-2. The changes in mitochondria were independent of caspase activation and were associated with changes in conformation of Bax. SBHA down-regulated several key antiapoptotic proteins including X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis and the Bcl-2 family proteins, Bcl-XL and Mcl-1. In contrast, it induced up-regulation of the Bcl-2 family proapoptotic proteins, Bim, Bax, and Bak. In addition, SBHA induced relocation of the protein Bim to mitochondria and its association with Bcl-2. De novo protein synthesis was required for initiation of apoptosis in that the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, inhibited SBHA-induced conformational changes in Bax as well as changes in mitochondrial membrane permeability and activation of caspase-3. These results suggest that SBHA induces apoptosis by changing the balance between proapoptotic and antiapoptotic proteins in melanoma cells. The protein Bim may be a key initiator of apoptosis in cells treated with SBHA.     

Pristimerin induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells via direct effects on mitochondria

Pristimerin, a naturally occurring triterpenoid, has been shown to cause cytotoxicity in several cancer cell lines. However, the mechanism for the cytotoxic effect of pristimerin was never explored. In the present study, human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells treated with pristimerin (1 and 3 micromol/L) showed rapid induction of apoptosis, as indicated by caspase activation, DNA fragmentation, and morphologic changes. Pretreatment of a pan-caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone (z-VAD-fmk) completely prevented pristimerin-induced apoptosis. Treatment of tumor cells with pristimerin resulted in a rapid release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, which preceded caspase activation and the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, neither benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone nor permeability transition pore inhibitor cyclosporin A markedly prevented pristimerin-induced mitochondrial cytochrome c release. Pristimerin did not significantly alter the protein level of Bcl-2 family members (Bcl-2, Bcl-X(L), and Bax), nor did it induce Bax translocation. Moreover, Bcl-2 overexpression fails to prevent pristimerin-induced apoptosis. The generation of reactive oxygen species in MDA-MB-231 cells was also not affected by pristimerin. In a cell-free system, pristimerin induced cytochrome c release from isolated mitochondria. Taken together, these results suggested that pristimerin is a novel mitochondria-targeted compound and may be further evaluated as a chemotherapeutic agent for human cancer.     

The apoptotic effect of HA14-1, a Bcl-2-interacting small molecular compound,requires Bax translocation and is enhanced by PK11195

HA14-1 is a small molecular compound that was identified based on the structure of Bcl-2. HA14-1 interacts with Bcl-2 and inhibits the antiapoptotic effect of Bcl-2. We investigated the mechanism of HA14-1-induced apoptosis and found that HA14-1 induces translocation of Bax from cytosols to the mitochondria. Cells deficient in Bax were much more resistant to HA14-1-induced apoptosis, suggesting that Bax is required for this process. A pan-caspase inhibitor failed to inhibit the apoptotic effect of HA14-1, indicating that this is through a caspase-independent pathway. To eliminate the effect of cytosolic Bax, we incubated cell-free mitochondria with HA14-1 to study its effect on cytochrome c release. HA14-1 was ineffective in causing cytochrome c release from the purified mitochondria. However, the combination of HA14-1 and PK11195, an antagonist of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor of the mitochondria, enhanced the cytochrome c release by HA14-1. The combination of PK11195 and HA14-1 could therefore serve as a potentially useful approach to enhance apoptosis in cancer.     

Apoptosis Induced by Microbubble-Assisted Acoustic Cavitation in K562 Cells: The Predominant Role of the Cyclosporin A-Dependent Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore

Acoustic cavitation of microbubbles has been described as inducing tumor cell apoptosis that is partly associated with mitochondrial dysfunction; however, the exact mechanisms have not been fully characterized. Here, low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (1 MHz, 0.3-MPa peak negative pressure, 10% duty cycle and 1-kHz pulse repetition frequency) was applied to K562 chronic myelogenous leukemia cells for 1 min with 10% (v/v) SonoVue microbubbles. After ultrasound exposure, the apoptotic index was determined by flow cytometry with annexin V–fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide. In addition, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ_m) was determined with the JC-1 assay. Translocation of apoptosis-associated protein cytochrome c was evaluated by Western blotting. We found that microbubble-assisted acoustic cavitation can increase the cellular apoptotic index, mitochondrial depolarization and cytochrome c release in K562 cells, compared with ultrasound treatment alone. Furthermore, mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis were significantly inhibited by cyclosporin A, a classic inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore; however, the inhibitor of Bax protein, Bax-inhibiting peptide, could not suppress these effects. Our results suggest that mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening is involved in mitochondrial dysfunction after exposure to microbubble-assisted acoustic cavitation. Moreover, the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria is dependent on cyclosporin A–sensitive mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, but not formation of the Bax-voltage dependent anion channel complex or Bax oligomeric pores. These data provide more insight into the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dysfunction induced by acoustic cavitation and can be used as a basis for therapy.