Figure 7.

p38 inhibitor reduced dichloroacetate- and atorvastatin-related cytosolic and mitochondrial reactive oxidative stress accompanied by apoptosis suppression. (a, b) Mitochondrial membrane potential evaluated using a JC-1 probe and its semiquantitation. (c, d) Cytosolic ROS production detected using the DHE fluorescence probe and its measurement. (e, f) Mitochondrial superoxide expressed by MitoSOX fluorescence probe and its assessment. Scale bars: 200 μm (n = 5). ^∗∗ and ^∗∗∗ indicate P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively. Analyses performed by unpaired Student's t-test. Bars represent mean ± SEM. (g) Flow cytometry analysis of PASMC apoptosis induced by indicated treatment using annexin V/PI staining. SB203580: p38-specific inhibitor.