The anti-apoptotic effect of a chloride-bicarbonate exchange blocker has been previously examined in endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes. However, the anti-apoptotic effects of this blocker on epithelial cells and the mechanism of the anti-apoptotic effect remain unknown. We examined the anti-apoptotic effects of a chloride-bicarbonate exchange blocker in a renal epithelial cell line (MDCK cells). Changes in the expression of bcl-2 family proteins, which are known to have anti-apoptotic effects, were also examined. Staurosporine was used to induce apoptotic cell death in the MDCK cells. Staurosporine treatment was sufficient to induce apoptotic cell death, detected by propidium iodide and DNA ladder formation. A chloride-bicarbonate exchange blocker was added 24 h before the staurosporine treatment and during treatment. The chloride-bicarbonate exchange blocker inhibited the staurosporine-induced apoptosis in the MDCK cells in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of bcl-2 family gene products was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. No changes in the expression of Bax, Bid and Bik (pro-apoptotic proteins), or Bcl-2 (an antiapoptotic protein) were detected. However, Mcl-1 expression was reduced by the staurosporine treatment, and this reduction was recovered when the chloride-bicarbonate exchange blocker was added. LY294002, a PI 3-kinase inhibitor, partially inhibited this antiapoptotic effect. In conclusion, chloride-bicarbonate exchange blockers appear to offer cell-protective effects via Mcl-1 up-regulation. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA).