Figure 4. Akt inhibition abolishes SC79-mediated neuroprotection against H₂O₂.

SH-SY5Y cells were treated with SC79 (10 μM) or plus hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂, 250 μM) for 2 hours, total cell lysates were collected, and listed proteins were tested by the Western blotting assay (A). Protein phosphorylation (vs. the total protein) was quantified (B). SH-SY5Y cells were pre-treated for 30 min with SC79 (10 μM) or plus MK-2206 (“MK”, 5 μM)/ AT7867 (AT, 5 μM), followed by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂, 250 μM) stimulation, cells were further cultured in the medium, cell survival, apoptosis and necrosis were tested by MTT assay (C), TUNEL staining assay (D), and LDH release assay (E), respectively. Bars indicate standard deviation (SD, n = 5). “C” stands for untreated control cells. ^*p < 0.05 vs. “C” group. ^#p < 0.05 vs. H₂O₂ only treatment (no SC79). Each experiment was repeated three times and similar results were obtained.