Effect of Trehalose on the Expression of Heat Shock Protein 70 Gene in PC12 Cells Treated with Hydrogen Peroxide

Background and purpose: Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including neurological disorders. In such stressful conditions, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) protects cells, thus its pharmacological induction can be protective. The disaccharide trehalose exhibits various beneficial effects, including antioxidative effect. However, its impact on HSP70 is not obvious. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of trehalose on HSP70 gene expression in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells treated with hydrogen peroxide. Materials and methods: PC12 cells were pretreated with trehalose (12.5, 25, 50 mM) for 24 hours, and then were treated with hydrogen peroxide (100 μM) for 24 hours. Cell viability was determined via MTT assay and HSP70 gene expression was measured using Real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Trehalose pretreatment increased viability of PC12 cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, HSP70 gene expression upregulated in cells that were pretreated with trehalose. The highest gene expression was at 50 mM trehalose. Conclusion: Current study showed that terhalose protects PC12 cells against hydrogen peroxide by increasing the expression of HSP70 gene.