Methylglyoxal reduces cell viability and mitochondrion membrane potential of human brain microvascular endothelial cell line hCMEC/D3

Objective To explore the effects and mechanism of methylglyoxal (MGO) in human brain microvascular endothelial cell line (hCMEC/D3). Methods The hCMEC/D3 cells were incubated with MGO(0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 and 1.25 mmol/L) for 24 h. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay. Cellular LDH and SOD activities were determined by commercially available kits. The change of mitochondrion membrane potential was assessed by JC-1 probe. MitoSOX probe was used to observe mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) release. Results Compared with control, cell viability of hCMEC/D3 treated with MGO decreased in a concentration-dependent manner (P＜0.01). Increased LDH activity and decreased SOD activity were observed with MGO exposure(P＜0.01). The decrease of mitochondrion membrane potential and the excessive increase of mROS were induced after MGO exposure for 12 h, which were detected by JC-1 or MitoSOX probe. Conclusions MGO reduces cell viability and mitochondria membrane potential in hCMEC/D3 cells with excessive mROS generation.