Ascorbic acid potentiates As2O3-mediated increases in the production of superoxide.
Cells (2.5 × 105) were cultured for 24 hours in the absence or the presence of As2O3 (2 μM), AA (100 μM), or As2O3+AA, as indicated. Cells were stained with hydroethidine, as described in “Materials and methods.” Data are presented as the mean ± SD of hydroethidine fluorescence (■, left scale) from at least 6 experiments for each cell line. *Means of the As- or the As+AA–treated cells are higher than those of the AA-treated cells and of control cells (P < .0003). **Means of the As+AA–treated cells are higher than those of the As-treated cells (P < .03). #Means of the As-treated cells are higher than those of the AA-treated and of control cells (P < .03). ##Means of the As+AA–treated cells are higher than those of As-treated cells (P < .0005). Percentage cell viability was monitored by Annexin V–FITC staining and is shown by the gray bars (right scale) as the mean ± SD of at least 6 experiments for each cell line.
