Peroxynitrite induces apoptosis and activates p38 MAPK in RGCs Peroxynitrite induces apoptosis and activates p38 MAPK in RGCs. A: Peroxynitrite (100 μmol/l, PN) induced apoptosis as indicated by significant increases in caspase-3 activity even in the presence of NGF (50 ng/ml). Peroxynitrite induces apoptosis and activates p38 MAPK in RGCs. A: Peroxynitrite (100 μmol/l, PN) induced apoptosis as indicated by significant increases in caspase-3 activity even in the presence of NGF (50 ng/ml). Neutralizing peroxynitrite using FeTPPS (2.5 μmol/l) blocked caspase-3 activity and restored NGF prosurvival signal. *P < 0.01. B: Peroxynitrite (100 μmol/l, PN) induced neuronal death as indicated by significant increases in TUNEL-positive nuclei even in the presence of NGF (50 ng/ml). Neutralizing peroxynitrite using FeTPPS (2.5 μmol/l) reduced TUNEL-positive nuclei and restored NGF prosurvival signal. C: Western blot analysis showing that peroxynitrite (100 μmol/l) significantly stimulates p38 MAPK phosphorylation (P-p38) even in the presence of NGF (50 ng/ml). Neutralizing peroxynitrite using FeTPPS (2.5 μmol/l) reduced p38 MAPK activation to control level. *P < 0.05. Data are means ± SD of four per group. Tayyeba K. Ali et al. Diabetes 2008;57:889-898 ©2008 by American Diabetes Association