DA increases the percentage of apoptotic PR1-D2S cells incubated in the presence of E2.

<p>PR1-D2S cells were cultured with DMEM-F12-SS in the absence (VEH) or presence of E2 (1 nM) for 48 h. Then the cells were incubated with DA (1 µM) with or without E2 for 4 h. Each column represents the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells ± CI (>2,000 cells/group). Data from at least two separate experiments were analyzed by χ². ** p<0.01 vs respective control without DA. ∧∧ p<0.01 vs respective control without E2.</p

p38 MAPK is involved in DA-induced apoptosis of PR1-D2S cells.

<p>A: PR1-D2S cells were cultured with E2 (1 nM) for 48 h. Then the cells were preincubated with SB203580 (1 µM), a p38 MAPK inhibitor, for 30 min and then incubated with DA (1 µM) in the presence or absence of SB203580 for 4 h. Each column represents the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells ± CI (>2,000 cells/group). Data from at least two separate experiments were analyzed by χ². ** p<0.01 vs respective control without DA. ∧∧ p<0.01 vs respective control without SB203580. B: PR1-D2S cells were cultured with or without E2 (1 nM) for 48 h. Then the cells were incubated with DA (1 µM) in the presence of E2 or VEH for 15 min, 30 min or 4 h. Proteins were extracted and p38 MAPK and phospho-p38 MAPK were detected by western blot.</p

A p38 MAPK inhibitor blocks the apoptosis of anterior pituitary cells induced by D2R activation.

<p>Anterior pituitary cells were cultured with E2 (1 nM) for 48 h. Then the cells were preincubated with SB203580 (1 µM), a p38 MAPK inhibitor, for 30 min and then incubated with DA (1 µM, A and B) or CAB (1 µM, C and D) in the presence or absence of SB203580 for 4 h. Each column represents the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells ± CI (>2,000 cells/group, A, C) or the percentage of TUNEL positive lactotropes ± CI (>500 cells/group B, D). Data from at least two separate experiments were analyzed by χ². ** p<0.01 vs respective control without DA or CAB. ∧ p<0.05 vs respective control without SB203589.</p

DA increases apoptosis in PR1-D2S cells incubated in the presence of E2.

<p>PR1-V, PR1-D2L or PR1-D2S cells were cultured with DMEM-F12-SS in the absence (A) or presence of E2 (1 nM, B) for 48 h. Then the cells were incubated with DA (1 µM-100 µM) in the presence or absence of E2 for 4 h and apoptosis was detected by ELISA. Each column represents the mean ± SE expressed of OD as the percentage of control without DA (n = 5 wells/group). Data were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Dunnett's test. * p<0.05 vs control without DA.</p

CAB induces apoptosis of anterior pituitary cells in an E2-dependent manner.

<p>OVX and E2 treated rats were injected with CAB (1 mg/kg, ip) or vehicle (CONTROL) and euthanized 16 h later. Anterior pituitary cells were dispersed and apoptosis was detected by Annexin-V and flow cytometry. Each column represents the mean ± SE of the percentage of apoptotic cells (n = 8 rats/group). Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA, followed by Tuckey's test. *p<0.05 vs. respective control without CAB, ∧p<0.05 vs respective control without E2.</p