Ascorbic acid prevents β-amyloid-induced intracellular calcium increase and cell death in PC12 cells

Characteristics of Alzheimer's disease include loss of brain neurons associated with the deposit of beta-amyloid protein (Aβ) which is thought to be toxic to neurons possibly via induction of intracellular calcium and generation of free radicals. On this basis, we have determined the effect of ascorbic acid on the cell death and calcium increase induced by Aβ in PC12 cells. We found that ascorbic acid completely abolished Aβ-induced calcium increase and cell death in PC12 cells, indicating that calcium elevation and cell death are associated phenomena induced by Aβ that can be rescued by antioxidants. These results are important to understand the mechanisms by which Aβ is toxic to neurons and suggest that antioxidants may be part of future treatments for Alzheimer's disease.