N-acetylcysteine increases apoptosis induced by H(2)O(2) and mo-antiFas triggering in a 3DO hybridoma cell line

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) has been used as an antioxidant to prevent apoptosis triggered by different stimuli in different cell types. It is common opinion that cellular redox, which is largely determined by the ratio of oxidized and reduced glutathione (GSH), plays a significant role in the propensity of cells to undergo apoptosis. However, there are also contrasting opinions stating that intracellular GSH depletion or supplemented GSH alone are not sufficient to lead cells to apoptosis or conversely protect them. Unexpectedly, this study shows that NAC, even if it maintains the peculiar characteristics of an agent capable of reducing cell proliferation and increasing intracellular GSH content, increases apoptosis induced by H2O2 treatment and mo-antiFas triggering in a 3DO cell line. We found that 24 h of NAC pre-treatment can shift cellular death from necrotic to apoptotic and determine an early expression of FasL in a 3DO cell line treated with H2O2. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.