Liproxstatin-1 Protects SH-SY5Y Cells by Inhibiting H2O2-Induced Excessive Mitophagy and Apoptosis

Abstract

Oxidative stress is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of various neuronal disorders, causing cellular damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. This study aimed to explore the protective effects of liproxstatin-1 against H2O2-induced neural oxidative damage and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Our findings demonstrated that 500 μmol/L H2O2 treatment induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells, while 1 μmol/L liproxstatin-1 effectively mitigated these cytotoxic effects by restoring mitochondrial integrity and enhancing cell viability. Furthermore, 500 μmol/L H2O2 exposure significantly suppressed the activation of the protein kinase B/ mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway and triggered excessive mitophagy. Pretreatment with 1 μmol/L liproxstatin-1 attenuated the damage by H2O2, suggesting its protective role. Collectively, our results indicated that 500 μmol/L H2O2 induces cytotoxicity through oxidative damage, protein kinase B/ mammalian target of rapamycin pathway inhibition, and aberrant mitophagy, ultimately leading to apoptosis; meanwhile, 1 μmol/L liproxstatin-1 counteracted these effects by preserving mitochondrial function, suppressing excessive mitophagy, and inhibiting apoptotic pathways, thereby protecting SH-SY5Y cells from H2O2-induced cytotoxicity.