• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• 제28권3호
• /
• pp.311-318
• /
• 2005

Oxidative stress has been reported to elevate ceramide level during cell death. The purpose of the present study was to modulate cell death in relation to cellular glutathione (GSH) level and GST (glutathione S-transferase) expression by regulating the sphingolipid metabolism. LLC­PK1 cells were treated with H$_2$O$_2$ in the absence of serum to induce cell death. Subsequent to exposure to H$_2$O$_2$, LLC-PK1 cells were treated with desipramine, sphingomyelinase inhibitor, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), GSH substrate. Based on comparative visual observation with H202-treated control cells, it was observed that 0.5 $\mu$M of desipramine and 25 $\mu$M of NAC exhibited about 90 and $95\%$ of cytoprotection, respectively, against H$_2$O$_2$-induced cell death. Desipramine and NAC lowered the release of LDH activity by 36 and $3\%$ respectively, when compared to $71\%$ in H$_2$O$_2$-exposed cells. Cellular glutathione level in 500 $\mu$M H202-treated cells was reduced to 890 pmol as compared to control level of 1198 pmol per mg protein. GST P1-1 expression was decreased in H$_2$O$_2$-treated cells compared to healthy normal cells. In conclusion, it has been inferred that H$_2$O$_2$-induced cell death is closely related to cellular GSH level and GST P1-1 expression in LLC-PK1 cells and occurs via ceramide elevation by sphingomyelinase activation.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• 제21권3호
• /
• pp.275-282
• /
• 2006

In order to get insight into the mechanism of cadmium (Cd)-induced brain injury, we investigated the effects of Cd on the induction of COX-2 in bEnd.3 mouse brain endothelial cells. Cd induced COX-2 expression and $PGE_2$ release, which were attenuated by thiol-reducing antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) indicating oxidative components might contribute to these events. Indeed, Cd increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and DNA binding activity of nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB), an oxidative stress sensitive transcription factor. Cd-induced $PGE_2$ production and COX-2 expression were significantly attenuated by Bay 11 7082, a specific inhibitor of NF-kB and by SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK). These data suggest that Cd induces COX-2 expression through activation of NF-kB and p38 MAPK, the oxidative stress-sensitive signaling molecules, in brain endothelial cells.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• 제34권2호
• /
• pp.49-54
• /
• 2009

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion is a well-known marker for oxidative stress and aging and also contributes to their unfavorable effects in cultured cells and animal tissues. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of ionizing radiation (IR) on mtDNA deletion and the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in this process in human lung fibroblast (IMR-90) cells. Young IMR-90 cells at population doubling (PD) 39 were irradiated with $^{137}Cs$ $\gamma$-rays and the intracellular ROS level was determined by 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) and mtDNA common deletion (4977bp) was detected by nested PCR. Old cells at PD 55 and $H_2O_2$-treated young cells were compared as the positive control. IR increased the intracellular ROS level and mtDNA 4977 bp deletion in IMR-90 cells dose-dependently. The increases of ROS level and mtDNA deletion were also observed in old cells and $H_2O_2$-treated young cells. To confirm the increased ROS level is essential for mtDNA deletion in irradiated cells, the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on IRinduced ROS and mtDNA deletion were examined. 5 mM NAC significantly attenuated the IR-induced ROS increase and mtDNA deletion. These results suggest that IR induces the mtDNA deletion and this process is mediated by ROS in IMR-90 cells.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• 제27권2호
• /
• pp.199-205
• /
• 2004

Cytochrome P450 (P450) 1 enzymes such as P450 1A1, 1A2, and 181 are known to be involved in the oxidative metabolism of various procarcinogens and are regarded as important target enzymes for cancer chemoprevention. Previously, several hydroxystilbene compounds were reported to inhibit P450 1 enzymes and were rated as candidate chemopreventive agents. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of 2-[2-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)vinyl]-thiophene (DMPVT), produced from the chemical modification of oxyresveratrol, on the activities of P450 1 enzymes. The inhibitory potential by DMPVT on the P450 1 enzyme activity was evaluated with the Escherichia coli membranes of the recombinant human cytochrome P450 1A1, 1A2, or 1B1 coexpressed with human NADPH-P450 reductase. DMPVT significantly inhibited ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (EROD) activities with $IC_{50}$ values of 61, 11, and 2 nM for 1A1, 1A2, and 1B1, respectively. The EROO activity in OMBA-treated rat lung microsomes was also significantly inhibited by OMPVT in a dose-dependent manner. The modes of inhibition by DMPVT were non-competitive for all three P450 enzymes. The inhibition of P450 1B1-mediated EROD activity by OMPVT did not show the irreversible mechanism-based effect. The loss of EROD activity in P450 1B1 with OMPVT incubation was not blocked by treatment with the trapping agents such as glutathione, N-acetylcysteine, or dithiothreitol. Taken together, the results suggested DMPVT to be a strong noncompetitive inhibitor of human P450 1 enzymes that should be considered as a good candidate for a cancer chemopreventive agent in humans.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• 제36권3호
• /
• pp.119-126
• /
• 2011

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion is a well-known marker for oxidative stress and aging, and contributes to harmful effects in cultured cells and animal tissues. mtDNA biogenesis genes (NRF-1, TFAM) are essential for the maintenance of mtDNA, as well as the transcription and replication of mitochondrial genomes. Considering that oxidative stress is known to affect mitochondrial biogenesis, we hypothesized that ionizing radiation (IR)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) causes mtDNA deletion by modulating the mitochondrial biogenesis, thereby leading to cellular senescence. Therefore, we examined the effects of IR on ROS levels, cellular senescence, mitochondrial biogenesis, and mtDNA deletion in IMR-90 human lung fibroblast cells. Young IMR-90 cells at population doubling (PD) 39 were irradiated at 4 or 8 Gy. Old cells at PD55, and H2O2-treated young cells at PD 39, were compared as a positive control. The IR increased the intracellular ROS level, senescence-associated ${\beta}$-galactosidase (SA-${\beta}$-gal) activity, and mtDNA common deletion (4977 bp), and it decreased the mRNA expression of NRF-1 and TFAM in IMR-90 cells. Similar results were also observed in old cells (PD 55) and $H_2O_2$-treated young cells. To confirm that a increase in ROS level is essential for mtDNA deletion and changes of mitochondrial biogenesis in irradiated cells, the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) were examined. In irradiated and $H_2O_2$-treated cells, 5 mM NAC significantly attenuated the increases of ROS, mtDNA deletion, and SA-${\beta}$-gal activity, and recovered from decreased expressions of NRF-1 and TFAM mRNA. These results suggest that ROS is a key cause of IR-induced mtDNA deletion, and the suppression of the mitochondrial biogenesis gene may mediate this process.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• 제19권4호
• /
• pp.268-273
• /
• 2014

The induction of detoxification enzymes by benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) and its synthetic N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) conjugate (NAC-BITC) was examined in Hepa1c1c7 murine hepatoma cells. BITC and NAC-BITC inhibited Hepa1c1c7 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Cell growth was 4.5~57.2% lower in Hepa1c1c7 cells treated with $0.1{\sim}1.0{\mu}M$ BITC than in control-treated Hepa1c1c7 cells. The NAC-BITC treatment had a similar inhibitory pattern on Hepa1c1c7 cell growth; $0.5{\mu}M$ and $10{\mu}M$ NAC-BITC decreased cell growth by 13.6% and 47.4%, respectively. Treatment of Hepa1c1c7 cells with $0.1{\sim}2.0{\mu}M$ BITC also elicited a dose-response effect on the induction of quinone reductase quinone reductase (QR) activity and QR mRNA expression. Treatment with $1{\mu}M$ and $2{\mu}M$ BITC caused 1.8- and 2.8-fold inductions of QR mRNA, respectively. By comparison, treatment with $1{\mu}M$ and $2{\mu}M$ NAC-BITC caused 1.6-and 1.9-fold inductions of QR mRNA, respectively. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 and CYP2E1 induction were lower in $0.1{\sim}2{\mu}M$ BITC-treated cells than in control-treated cells. CYP2E1 activity was 1.2-fold greater in $0.1{\mu}M$ NAC-BITC-treated cells than in control-treated cells. However, the CYP2E1 activity of cells treated with higher concentrations (i.e., $1{\sim}2{\mu}M$) of NAC-BITC was similar to the activity of control-treated cells. Considering the potential of isothiocyanatesto prevent cancer, these results provide support for the use of BITC and NAC-BITC conjugates as chemopreventive agents.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제11권1호
• /
• pp.9-13
• /
• 2007

Antioxidant properties have been proposed as a mechanism for the putative anti-inflammatory effects of phenolic compounds. To reveal the relationship between antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects of various antioxidants, we measured 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl(DPPH)-reducing activity and examined the inhibitory effects on LPS-induced inflammation-related gene expression in the BV2 microglial cell line. Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)(0.2 ${\mu}g/ml$) was used with or without antioxidants to treat cells, and the regulation of iNOS and cytokine gene expression was monitored using an RNase protection assay(RPA). Although, all tested antioxidants had similar DPPH-reducing activity and inhibited nitrite production, but the curcuminoid antioxidants(ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and curcumin) inhibited LPS-induced gene expression(iNOS, $TNF-\alpha,\;IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-1 Ra) in a concentration-dependent manner. Other tested antioxidants did not exhibit the same effects; N-acetylcysteine(NAC) only began to suppress $IL-1{\beta}$ gene expression just below the concentration at which cytotoxicity occurred. Moreover, the antioxidant potency of curcuminoids appeared to have no correlation with anti-inflammatory potency. Only curcumin could inhibit LPS-induced microglial activation at a micromolar level. These data suggest that curcumin may be a safe antioxidant possessing anti-inflammatory activity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제24권6호
• /
• pp.493-502
• /
• 2020

Apigenin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, is known to exhibit significant anticancer activity. This study was designed to determine the effects of apigenin on two malignant mesothelioma cell lines, MSTO-211H and H2452, and to explore the underlying mechanism(s). Apigenin significantly inhibited cell viability with a concomitant increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and caused the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and ATP depletion, resulting in apoptosis and necroptosis in monolayer cell culture. Apigenin upregulated DNA damage response proteins, including the DNA double strand break marker phospho (p)-histone H2A.X. and caused a transition delay at the G₂/M phase of cell cycle. Western blot analysis showed that apigenin treatment upregulated protein levels of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved PARP, p-MLKL, and p-RIP3 along with an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. ATP supplementation restored cell viability and levels of DNA damage-, apoptosisand necroptosis-related proteins that apigenin caused. In addition, N-acetylcysteine reduced ROS production and improved ΔΨm loss and cell death that were caused by apigenin. In a 3D spheroid culture model, ROS-dependent necroptosis was found to be a mechanism involved in the anti-cancer activity of apigenin against malignant mesothelioma cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that apigenin can induce ROS-dependent necroptotic cell death due to ATP depletion through mitochondrial dysfunction. This study provides us a possible mechanism underlying why apigenin could be used as a therapeutic candidate for treating malignant mesothelioma.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제28권5호
• /
• pp.473-481
• /
• 2020

Axl receptor tyrosine kinase has been implicated in cancer progression, invasion, and metastasis in various cancer types. Axl overexpression has been observed in many cancers, and selective inhibitors of Axl, including R428, may be promising therapeutic agents for several human cancers, such as breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers. Here, we examined the cell growth inhibition mediated by R428 and auranofin individually as well as in combination in the human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 to identify new advanced combination treatments for human breast cancer. Our data showed that combination therapy with R428 and auranofin markedly inhibited cancer cell proliferation. Isobologram analyses of these cells indicated a clear synergism between R428 and auranofin with a combination index value of 0.73. The combination treatment promoted apoptosis as indicated by caspase 3 activation and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. Cancer cell migration was also significantly inhibited by this combination treatment. Moreover, we found that combination therapy significantly increased the expression level of Bax, a mitochondrial proapoptotic factor, but decreased that of the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein. Furthermore, the suppression of cell viability and induction of Bax expression by the combination treatment were recovered by treatment with N-acetylcysteine. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that combined treatment with R428 and auranofin synergistically induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells and may thus serve as a novel and valuable approach for cancer therapy.

• 한국식품과학회지
• /
• 제53권4호
• /
• pp.463-469
• /
• 2021

본 연구에서는 curcumin과 관련 구조물질인 ferulic acid, DBM, THC을 사용하여 이들의 산화방지활성과 세포독성을 나타내는 활성과 구조 간의 연관성을 분석하였다. 각종 라디칼 소거활성과 지질산화 억제 반응에서 DBM은 거의 활성을 나타내지 못해, methoxy phenolic기가 중요한 기능 구조로 나타났으며 α, β-unsaturated carbonyl기도 이들의 산화방지 활성에 일부 관여하는 것으로 보인다. Curcumin 유도체들의 세포독성과 이들의 산화방지활성 간에는 연관성이 거의 없었으며, ROS의 생성에는 α, β-unsaturated carbonyl기가 중요한 역할을 담당하나 세포독성의 직접적인 원인이 아닌 것으로 판단된다. 세포독성 유발에는 β-diketone 구조가 중요한 역할을 하였으며, SOD/catalase 등에 의한 구조의 안정화가 세포독성을 더욱 강화시키는 것으로 판단된다. Curcumin과 ferulic acid의 조합처리에 의해 독성이 증가한 반면, DBM과 curcumin을 같이 처리 시 독성이 상쇄되었으며 THC과 curcumin은 서로 부가적인 세포독성을 나타냈다.