Ghrelin Protects against Dexamethasone-Induced INS-1 Cell Apoptosis via ERK and p38MAPK Signaling

Figure 3

Ghrelin inhibits dexamethasone-induced mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis of INS-1 cells. (a) Extent of apoptosis following treatment with dexamethasone and ghrelin. INS-1 cells were cultured in complete medium (control), 0.1 μM dexamethasone, 0.1 μM ghrelin, and 0.1 μM dexamethasone + 0.1 μM ghrelin for 48 h. INS-1 cells were then stained with PI and annexin V-FITC and sorted by fluorescence flow cytometry. (b) The graph presents the percentage of apoptotic INS-1 cells. (c) Ghrelin suppressed the activation of caspase-3 in dexamethasone-treated INS-1 cells. Caspase-3 activity was measured using the caspase-3 colorimetric activity assay kit. (d) The expression of cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax in treated INS-1 cells was detected using western blot analysis. (e–h) Graphs indicate the ratio between the bands of interest. Data are presented as the mean ± SD. , versus control group; , versus dexamethasone group.

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