Abstract
Activation of the nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) is a critical step
in β-cell death in response to exposure with free radicals or other DNA damaging agents.
Nicotinamide, a B vitamin, exerts its β-cell protective action primarily via its ability to block excessive PARP activity. We show here that the isoquinolinone
derivative PD128763, a specific PARP inhibitor, provides protection from cell death
in islet cells exposed in vitro to nitric oxide or oxygen radical generating compounds or to the β-cell toxin streptozotocin,
at concentrations 100 times less than required for nicotinamide. Furthermore, while
the protective action of nicotinamide is rapidly lost after washing of islet cells,
the effects of PD128763 are more long lasting. Both compounds had little capacity
to rescue damaged islet cells from subsequent lysis. We conclude that the isoquinolinone
derivative PD128763 is superior to nicotinamide in enhancing the resistance of β-cells
towards inflammatory attacks.
Key words
Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase - PD128763 - Nicotinamide - β-Cell Death
