Cellular and Biochemical Alterations in L6 Myoblast Cells Induced by 6-Aminonicotinamide

The effects of antimetabolite 6-AN (6-amino-nicotinamide) on viability and morphology of L6 myoblast cells have been investigated. 6-AN ($100{\mu}M$) induced a time-dependent decrease in cell viability with respect to the untreated control cells. Following 6-AN administration the viability rate started to decline sharply, reaching about 23% of the untreated control cells at 48 h. Inverted phase-contrast microscopy revealed that 6-AN caused characteristic morphological changes such as irregularly elongated and stellate shape of cells, round-shaped nucleus, cytoplasmic vacuolization, irregular cell arrangements and formation of large spaces among cell clusters. The concentrations of ATP and $NAD^{+}$ in the 6-AN treated cells were significantly lower (p < 0.01) than those of the untreated control cells. In contrast, the concentration of AMP was significantly increased by the 6-AN treatment. Activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in 6-AN treated cells were significantly higher (p < 0.01) than those of the untreated control cells. The activities of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in 6-AN treated cells were significantly lower (p < 0.01) than those of the untreated control cells. The results suggest that 6-AN caused marked reduction of cell viability and alterations of some important metabolites and enzymes.