Protective effect of agmatine against cisplatin-induced apoptosis in an auditory cell line

Objectives: Agmatine, an endogenous metabolite of arginine, is known to have antioxidant activity, protect mitochondrial function, and confer resistance to cellular apoptosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of agmatine against cisplatin-induced cellular apoptosis in an auditory cell line. Methods: HEI-OC1 cells were co-treated with agmatine at different concentrations and 15 µM cisplatin for 48 h. Cell viability was measured and annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) staining was performed to analyze apoptosis. The levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using flow cytometry. The expression of BAX (Bcl2-associated X protein) and the enzymatic activity of caspase-3 were measured to examine the pathway of apoptosis induction. Results: Co-treatment with 8 mM agmatine protected HEI-OC1 cells against cisplatin-induced cell apoptosis. Agmatine exerted a significant protective effect against 15 µM cisplatin when applied for 48 h and reduced the proportion of necrotic and late apoptotic cells. Agmatine did not reduce the cisplatin-induced increase in ROS but decreased the expression of BAX and the activity of caspase-3. Conclusions: Agmatine protected against cisplatin-induced cellular apoptosis in an auditory cell line. These effects were mediated by the protection of mitochondrial function and inhibition of apoptosis.