Protective effect of salicylates against hydrogen peroxide stress in yeast

Aims:  To investigate the effects of salicylates in Saccharomyces cerevisiae exposed to oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Methods and Results: Saccharomyces cerevisiae was cultured through to the postlogarithmic phase of growth. Stress was induced by the addition of 1·5 mmol l−1 H2O2 for 1 h, while N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) and glutathione (GSSG) were used as control agents that affect the redox balance. Sodium salicylate, at 0·01–10 mmol l−1or acetylsalicylic acid, at 0·02–2·5 mmol l−1 was administered at various times before hydrogen peroxide stress. Both agents conferred resistance to a subsequent hydrogen peroxide stress, similarly to the induction of the adaptive response observed upon pretreatment with NAC and GSSG. Sodium salicylate was more potent as a short-term, but not as a long-term pretreatment agent, compared to acetylsalicylic acid. Conclusions:  Pharmacological pretreatment with salicylates resulted in dose related increases in cell survival, indicating the induction of the protective response in yeast. Significance and Impact of the study:  The possible role of salicylates in the modulation of the hydrogen peroxide stress response in eukaryotic cells address questions on the effects of these commonly used therapeutic agents in a number of disorders exhibiting an oxidative stress component.