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In vitro evaluation of the potential antitumor activity of an N-acridyl-pentanoyloxypyridine-2-thione derivative.

The synthesis and in vitro evaluation of the antitumor activity of an N-acridyl-pentanoyloxypridine-2-thione derivative (APPT), hypothesized to act as a DNA-intercalating compound, are described. The compound showed dose-dependent antiproliferative activity against all of the tested murine and human tumor cell lines, as evaluated by using the tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay. In addition, a comparative evaluation of the cytotoxic property was performed also against primary cultures of normal bone marrow cells. The results demonstrated that APPT possesses preferential antitumor activity and is endowed with an in vitro therapeutic index very similar to those of well known DNA-binding anti-neoplastic compounds, such as daunorubicin (DNR) and amsacrine (mAMSA). Therefore, APPT can be considered to be a potential selective cytoreductive drug.

Acridines↗

Anti-proliferative effects of 20-epi-vitamin-D3 analogue, KH1060 in human neuroblastoma: induction of RAR-beta and p21(Cip1).

We determined the in vitro biological activities of 1 alpha, 25-dihdroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25-D(3)) and its analogue, 20-epi-22-oxa-24a, 26a, 27a-trihomo-1 alpha, 25 (OH)(2) vitamin D(3) (KH1060) in six human neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines (SH-SY5Y, NB69, SK-N-AS, IMR5, CHP-134, NGP). The ability of these compounds to inhibit cell growth and DNA synthesis was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and BrdU incorporation, respectively. The induction of cell death was monitored by caspase-3 activity. Their antineoplastic effect was assessed by clonal proliferation in soft agar. KH1060 was more effective than 1,25 D(3) in inhibiting cell growth and DNA synthesis. The IC-(50) (inhibition of 50% cell viability) indicated that KH1060 was about 10-20-fold more potent than 1,25 D(3). This growth inhibition was also accompanied by induction of caspase-3 activity, indicating that these compounds induce cell death in a caspase-dependent fashion. Moreover, KH1060 exerted potent antineoplastic activity by suppressing the clonal proliferation of the six NB cells. For the first time we demonstrate that KH1060 induces the expression of retinoic acid receptor-beta and p21(Cip1) suggesting that these proteins in part mediate the growth inhibitory effects. Taken together, all the six NB cells were more susceptible to growth inhibition by KH1060 than 1,25-D(3), suggesting its possible use in NB to potentiate the action of retinoids, which are in clinical use for this disease.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Surface modification of gold and quantum dot nanoparticles with chitosan for bioapplications.

Gold (Au) and quantum dot (QD) nanoparticles, which have been extensively used in many fields, were encapsulated with a natural polymer, chitosan, to improve their biocompatibility. Characterization was performed using ultraviolet-visible, dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscope analyses. It was found that a Au/chitosan ratio of 1:1 and smaller produced chitosan-encapsulated Au nanoparticles of a sufficiently small size, and this result was then applied in the chitosan encapsulation of QDs. The biocompatibility of both types of nanoparticles was assessed in cell culture studies using HT29 human colon carcinoma and NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells. MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays revealed that both chitosan-encapsulated Au nanoparticles and QDs exhibited improved biocompatibility over their bare, nonencapsulated counterparts. Therefore, this study showed that chitosan could be used to encapsulate both Au nanoparticles and QDs in order to enhance their biocompatibility. The approaches developed in this study can also be extended to other nanoparticles for bioapplications as well.

Animals↗

Induction and inhibition of aromatase (CYP19) activity by various classes of pesticides in H295R human adrenocortical carcinoma cells.

Various pesticides known or suspected to interfere with steroid hormone function were screened in H295R cells for effects on catalytic activity and mRNA expression of aromatase. Dibutyl-, tributyl-, and triphenyltin chloride decreased aromatase and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activities concentration dependently (1-300 nM; 24-h exposure). However, these decreases occurred only at cytotoxic concentrations, indicated by decreases in mitochondrial MTT reduction and intracellular neutral red uptake. The organotins did not cause direct inhibition during the catalytic assay (1-1000 nM; 1.5-h exposure). The same was true for p,p'-DDT, and o,p-DDT, and o,p-DDE, which decreased aromatase activity only at cytotoxic concentrations (> or =10 microM; 24-h exposure). p,p'-DDE had no effect on aromatase activity or cell viability at 1 and 10 microM. Various imidazole-like fungicides were aromatase inhibitors. Imazalil and prochloraz were potent mixed inhibitors (K(i)/K(i)(') = 0.04/0.3 and 0.02/0.3 microM, respectively), whereas propiconazole, difenoconazole, and penconazole were less potent competitive inhibitors (K(i) = 1.9, 4.5, and 4.7 microM, respectively). Fenarimol, tebuconazole, and hexaconazole decreased aromatase activity close to cytotoxic concentrations. Vinclozolin, as was shown previously for atrazine, induced aromatase activity and CYP19 mRNA levels about 2.5- and 1.5-fold, respectively. To investigate the mechanism of aromatase induction in H295R cells, the ability of the pesticides to increase intracellular cAMP levels was examined. Vinclozolin (100 microM) and atrazine (30 microM) increased cAMP levels about 1.5-fold above control. Forskolin and isobutyl methylxanthine (IBMX) increased cAMP levels 3 and 1.8-fold, respectively. Time-response curves for cAMP induction and concentration-response curves for aromatase induction by vinclozolin, atrazine, and IBMX were similar, suggesting that the mechanism of aromatase induction by these pesticides is mediated through inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity.

Aromatase↗

Superoxide dismutase activity of the captopril-iron complex.

With an assay that generates superoxide anion radicals without the intervention of metal ions we investigated the antioxidant properties of captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor with a sulfhydryl group. Under these conditions, increasing concentrations of the drug were seen not to scavenge O.-2 directly. However, a combination of captopril and iron could bring about the breakdown of the superoxide anion; a result that may help to understand the free radical-scavenging properties of captopril.

Antioxidants↗

Superoxide production from nonenzymatically glycated protein.

Nonenzymatically glycated human serum albumin and glycated poly-lysine(Lys) in vitro brought about the reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium and ferricytochrome c at pH 9.06 and pH 7.8, respectively. This reduction was inhibited partially by superoxide dismutase (SOD). Glycated poly-Lys caused the oxidation of NADH in the presence of LDH at pH 7.0 which was completely inhibited by SOD. Glycated material was found to function both as a reductant and an oxidant. The reactivity of glycated material is discussed and a possible mechanism by which superoxide is produced is proposed. Results may give a clue to diabetic complications.

Cytochrome c Group↗

Characterization of the color related receptor mosaic in the ground squirrel retina.

Light microscopic and histochemical studies reveal that the retina of the European ground squirrel (Citellus citellus L.) contains a mosaic pattern of two cone types and a small population of rods. A minority (7%) of the cones can be characterized by their ellipsoids having larger diameters and increased staining density over the majority population. Exposure to green light selectively elicited intense NBT-diformazan labeling in the major population of cones while the larger diameter cone type was labeled after blue illumination. The two cone subpopulations are probably the blue and green cone types of ground squirrel protanopic color vision.

Animals↗

Electrochemical genosensing of the interaction between the potential chemotherapeutic agent, cis-bis(3-aminoflavone)dichloroplatinum(II) and DNA in comparison with cis-DDP.

The interaction of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cis-DDP) and the potential novel chemotherapeutic agent, cis-bis(3-aminoflavone)dichloroplatinum(II) (cis-BAFDP) was studied electrochemically with calf thymus double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) by using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) with disposable pencil graphite electrode (PGE) at the surface. These studies were prompted by beneficial biological properties of cis-BAFDP in comparison with cis-DDP, which were proven in vitro both in human normal and cancer cells and in vivo. The changes in the experimental parameters such as the concentration of cis-DDP and cis-BAFDP were studied by using DPV; in addition, the reproducibility of this genosensor and the detection limit for each compound were determined. After the interaction of cis-DDP with dsDNA, the DPV signal of guanine and adenine was found to be decreasing. In comparison with cis-DDP, a dramatic decrease at adenine signal was also obtained after the interaction of cis-BAFDP and dsDNA. Similar results were also found in solution phase after the latter compound interacts with poly[A]. The features of the proposed electrochemical method for the detection of cis-BAFDP with DNA in comparison with cis-DDP are discussed and compared with those methods previously reported for the other type of DNA-targeted agents in the literature.

Adenine↗

Glutathione modulation influences methyl mercury induced neurotoxicity in primary cell cultures of neurons and astrocytes.

Methyl mercury (MeHg) is highly neurotoxic and may lead to numerous neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we investigated the role of glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in MeHg-induced neurotoxicity, using primary cell cultures of cerebellar neurons and astrocytes. To evaluate the effect of GSH on MeHg-induced cytotoxicity, ROS and GSH were measured using the fluorescent indicators chloro methyl derivative of di-chloro di-hydro fluorescein diacetate (CMH(2)DCFDA) and monochlorobimane (MCB). Cell-associated MeHg was measured with (14)C-radiolabeled MeHg. Mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity was detected by MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide]. MTT timeline study was also performed to evaluate the effects of both the concentration and duration of MeHg exposure. The intracellular GSH content was modified by pretreatment with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) or di-ethyl maleate (DEM) for 12 h. Treatment with 5 microM MeHg for 30 min led to significant (p<0.05) increase in ROS and reduction (p<0.001) in GSH content. Depletion of intracellular GSH by DEM further increased the generation of MeHg-induced ROS in both cell cultures. Conversely, NAC supplementation increased intracellular GSH and provided protection against MeHg-induced oxidative stress in both cell cultures. MTT studies also confirmed the efficacy of NAC supplementation in attenuating MeHg-induced cytotoxicity. The cell-associated MeHg was significantly (p<0.02) increased after DEM treatment. In summary, depletion of GSH increases MeHg accumulation and enhances MeHg-induced oxidative stress, and conversely, supplementation with GSH precursor protects against MeHg exposure in vitro.

Acetylcysteine↗

Visualization of mosaicism in tissues of normal and mismatch-repair-deficient mice carrying a microsatellite-containing transgene.

To determine the frequency of mutation in different cell types of mammals, transgenic mice that allow mutant cells to be visualized in situ were used. These mice carry a defective allele of the human placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) gene. The allele does not produce enzyme because the reading frame is shifted by an insertion of 7 G:C basepairs. The insertion is adjacent to four existing G:C basepairs, so the allele has a tract of 11Gs. The G11 PLAP allele was studied in wildtype mice and in mice deficient in mismatch-repair (MMR) due to lack of either Pms2 or Mlh1. PLAP(+) cells were counted in brain, heart, kidney, and liver. In wildtype mice, there was an average of between 5 and 30 PLAP(+) events per million cells. No cells with alkaline phosphatase activity were detected in tissues from mice lacking the PLAP gene. In MMR-deficient mice, the number of PLAP(+) allele was increased by at least three-order of magnitude in brain, heart and kidney, but <10-fold in liver. These data show that MMR is vital to maintaining repeat stability in brain, heart and kidney cells. The reason for the different results in the liver is not clear. Cells in the liver were shown to be capable of expressing of PLAP enzyme and PLAP mRNA was present in this organ.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Reaction of poly(acrylamide-co-vinylamine) with tresyl-PEG in the presence of PC12 cells.

Tresylation of an amine containing polymer film in the presence of PC12 cells did not result in a significant loss of cell viability, at least as assessed by trypan blue exclusion or MTT assay. PC12 cells were cultured atop reactive poly(acrylamide-co-vinyl amine) films or tissue culture polystyrene and exposed for 2 h to tresylated polyethylene glycol (TPEG) or unreactive hydrolyzed TPEG in 0.1M TES (N-tris hydroxymethyl-2-aminoethane sulfonic acid). The loss in trypan blue viability was limited ( approximately 80% retained), provided the TPEG concentration was 10 micromol/g or less. Similarly when microencapsulated PC12 cells (in a non-reactive polyacrylate hydrogel) were exposed to TPEG (10 micromol/g in 0.1M TES) the loss of MTT activity was small. The loss of vaibility was attributed to the toxicity of the tresyl leaving group and not the reaction itself. Thus, it may be possible to surface modify cell containing microcapsules, at least under limited conditions, in order to improve their biocompatibility without compromising the viability of the enclosed cells. This should lead to the development of new (reactive) polymers for microencapsulation since biocompatibility need not be a design consideration in the first instance.

Amines↗

Manganese toxicity is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA fragmentation in rat primary striatal neurons.

Manganese (Mn) in excess is toxic to neurons of the globus pallidus, leading to a Parkinsonian-like syndrome. We used rat primary neuron cultures to examine the cellular events following manganese exposure. Following exposure to Mn(2+) for 48 h, striatal neurons showed dose-dependent losses of mitochondrial membrane potential and complex II activity. The Mn exposure effect on mitochondrial membrane potential was significant at every concentration measured (5, 50, and 500 microM), and the manganese exposure effect on complex II activity was significant at 50 and 500 microM. Exposure of striatal neurons to both Mn(2+) and the complex II inhibitor 3-nitropropionic acid resulted in additive toxicity. Striatal neurons exposed to 5 microM Mn(2+) for 48 h exhibited DNA fragmentation and decreases in the immunohistochemically detectable microtubule-associated protein MAP-2. These results indicate that manganese may trigger apoptotic-like neuronal death secondary to mitochondrial dysfunction. Rescue of neurons by apoptosis inhibitors may be helpful in treating manganese toxicity and similar neurodegenerative processes.

Animals↗

Antiproliferative terpenoids from almond hulls (Prunus dulcis): identification and structure-activity relationships.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the EtOAc crude extract from Sicilian almond hulls, a waste material from Prunus dulcis crop, allowed identification of 10 constituents, isolated as pure compounds (1-5, 7, and 10) or unseparable mixtures (5 + 6 and 8 + 9). All compounds were subjected to spectroscopic analysis and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide bioassay on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. In addition to the main components oleanolic (1), ursolic (2), and betulinic (3) acids, the 2-hydroxy analogues alphitolic (4), corosolic (5), and maslinic (6) acids, as well as the related aldehydes, namely, betulinic (7), oleanolic (8), and ursolic (9), were identified. From a more polar fraction, the beta-sitosterol 3-O-glucoside (10) was also identified. A sample of commercially available betulin (11) was also included in bioassays as further support to a structure-activity relationship study. Betulinic acid showed antiproliferative activity toward MCF-7 cells (GI50 = 0.27 microM), higher than the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Synthesis and potent antileukemic activities of N-lactylsphingosine and N-lactyldihydrosphingosine.

N-(R)- and N-(S)-lactylsphingosine and their corresponding dihydrosphingosine derivatives were synthesized. The antileukemic activities of these compounds were measured by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) assay in human leukemia HL-60 cells. N-(R)- and N-(S)-Lactylsphingosine displayed higher activities than N-acetylsphingosine (C2-ceramide, a well-known apoptosis inducer), and their dihydrosphingosine derivatives had slight activities.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Altered sensitivities to anticancer and differentiation agents in etoposide-resistant human myeloid leukemia U-937 cells.

We previously have exposed U-937 human leukemia cells to stepwise increased concentrations of the anticancer drug etoposide, and this treatment has resulted in stable sublines (termed U-937/RE) exhibiting various extents of resistance to the drug and constitutively expressing c-fms mRNA, a specific marker of monocytic differentiation. In this report, we pursued studies to show that the P-glycoprotein blocker, verapamil, partially restores sensitivity to etoposide in U-937/RE cells. Further, the U-937/RE cells exhibit differential sensitivities to compounds that induce maturation of U-937 cells, as judged by the ability to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium and by morphologic changes, and increased sensitivities to apoptosis induction by the cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and lymphotoxin (LT) and the anticancer drugs 9-nitrocamptothecin and doxorubicin. In addition, the U-937/RE cells, xenografted in immunodeficient mice, demonstrate decreased or no ability to induce tumors. Taken together, these findings indicate that U-937/RE cells differ from the parental U-937 cells in several functional properties and can serve as models to develop protocols for treatment of human leukemia.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Efficient cationic lipid-mediated delivery of antisense oligonucleotides into eukaryotic cells: down-regulation of the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor.

Oligonucleotides (ODNs) can be employed as effective gene-specific regulators. However, before ODNs can reach their targets, several physical barriers have to be overcome, as although ODNs may pass cell membranes, most become sequestered in endocytic compartments. Accordingly, sophisticated strategies are required for efficient delivery. Here we have employed a pyridinium-based synthetic amphiphile, called SAINT-2, which carries ODNs into cells in a highly efficient, essentially non-toxic and serum-insensitive manner. Intracellular delivery was examined by monitoring the trafficking of fluorescent ODNs and lipid, and by measuring the effect of specific antisense ODNs on target mRNA and protein levels of the receptor for the neuropeptide corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF-R), expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. ODN delivery is independent of lipoplex size, and fluorescently tagged ODNs readily acquire access to the nucleus, whereas the carrier itself remains sequestered in the endosomal-lysosomal pathway. While the release is independent of the presence of serum, it is not observed when serum proteins gain access within the lipoplex, and which likely stabilizes the lipoplex membrane. We propose that the amphiphile-dependent aggregate structure governs complex dissociation, and hence, the biological efficiency of ODNS: We demonstrate an essentially non-toxic and effective antisense-specific down-regulation of the CRF-R, both at the mRNA and protein level.

Animals↗

Hereditary myeloperoxidase deficiency: study of 12 cases.

12 cases of hereditary myeloperoxidase (MPO) deficiency are reported. Histochemical stainings, lysosomal enzyme determinations, electron microscopic study of MPO and granulocytic function were performed. Family studies on 2 generations were carried out in 5 patients and histochemical stainings and biochemical lysosomal enzyme determinations were done. MPO deficiency was found to follow autosomal recessive inheritance and only rarely to have clinical effects.

Azo Compounds↗

Heterocyclic derivatives of all-trans retinoic acid: in vitro effects on fibroblast/keratinocyte growth and differentiation, and in vivo effects on guinea-pig skin.

We investigated the biological effects of five all-trans retinoic acid derivatives, bearing heterocyclic ring systems in the side chain. Growth assays performed on submerged human fibroblast and keratinocyte cultures revealed that (E)4-[2-(5-terbuthyl-thiophen-2-yl)propenyl]benzoic acid (compound 5) is the best compound among the studied derivatives for it exhibits a weaker antiproliferative activity and induces, like all-trans retinoic acid does, a significant increase in fibroblast and keratinocyte growth. The morphological and morphometrical analyses of submerged human fibroblast cultures and human epidermis reconstructed in vitro showed that the compound 5 behaves similarly to all-trans retinoic acid: it induces a decrease in all the cell parameters of submerged fibroblast cultures, and modulates the differentiation of keratinocytes in in vitro reconstructed epidermis. Compound 5 induces thickening of epidermis in vivo, one of the most remarkable pharmacological effects of retinoids on skin, but compared to all-trans retinoic acid, it induces a weaker irritation on guinea-pig skin in terms of both erythema and scaling. Compound 5 could then represent a promising candidate for the treatment of certain dermatological diseases.

Animals↗