Inhibition of doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in vivo by 2-deoxy-D-glucose.

Previous studies have shown that DNA cleavage by mammalian topoisomerase II is ATP dependent and can be inhibited by metabolic inhibitors. Furthermore, it has been shown that metabolic inhibitors also have a cytoprotective effect in vitro against topoisomerase II-targeting antitumor drugs. However, the nature of the ATP-dependent process is not known. We have previously shown that doxorubicin induces apoptosis (programmed cell death) in the murine small intestine which can be inhibited by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. In the present study, we have demonstrated that 2-deoxy-D-glucose reduces the incidence of doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in vivo if administered within 45 min of the doxorubicin. Maximum reduction was observed at 2 h after treatment (approximately 66%); however, significant reduction was still observable at 9 h after treatment (approximately 33%). Significant positive correlation was observed between protein synthesis inhibition and apoptosis inhibition. Other possible mechanisms of action of the inhibitor do not appear to be important in cytoprotection. The inhibitor did not reduce the uptake of doxorubicin into the intestinal epithelium; however, it caused a significant increase in retention of the drug. The kinetics of inhibition suggest that alteration of cell cycle kinetics, inhibition of formation of doxorubicin-topoisomerase II complex or induction of glucose-regulated proteins are not significant factors in cytoprotection. These studies indicate that at least in the mouse small intestinal epithelium, the ATP-dependent process in cell killing by doxorubicin may involve protein synthesis.

Abrogation of adriamycin toxicity in vivo by cycloheximide.

The processes involved in cell killing by Adriamycin (ADR) and other agents that interact with topoisomerase II are unclear. To investigate the mode of ADR cytotoxicity in vivo, we have investigated the effects of the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide (CH), on cell killing by ADR in the murine intestinal tract. We have used morphological criteria to assay the cell death. ADR rapidly induces cell death in this tissue that has the morphology of apoptosis or programmed cell death. CH, when administered immediately after ADR, reduced the incidence of cell death by approximately 81% at 3 hr and approximately 51% at 6 hr after treatment. The inhibitor was only effective when administered within 0.5 hr of ADR suggesting that critical events leading to cell death may occur during this period. The inhibitor did not interfere with the ADR uptake or retention. Significant positive correlation was observed between protein and DNA synthesis inhibition (as measured by precursor uptake) and apoptosis inhibition. CH delayed progression of cells through all phases of the cell cycle except mitosis. However, ADR also had a similar effect, suggesting that progression through the cell cycle is not necessary for the expression of apoptosis. The effectiveness of CH in apoptosis inhibition, even when administered 0.5 hr after the ADR, coupled with the rapid uptake of ADR by the intestinal epithelium suggests that the mode of inhibition is unlikely to be modulation of cellular targets of ADR such as topoisomerase II or inhibition of formation of ADR-topoisomerase II complex. These data indicate that topoisomerase II-interacting agents such as ADR may induce apoptosis; the processes leading to cell death in this situation are thought to be gene dependent and require protein synthesis for their expression. Thus, the cytoprotective effect of CH may be due directly to the inhibition of protein synthesis.

Familial occurrence of periapical cemental dysplasia.

A family with periapical cemental dysplasia is reported. The affected individuals displayed classical features of periapical cemental dysplasia on radiographic examination. The lesions consisted chiefly of radiolucent areas; however, some had central areas of radiodensity. Histopathological examination of one of the lesions revealed fibrous elements containing fused dense sclerotic cemental masses. Familial incidence of florid cemento-osseous dysplasia with an autosomal mode of inheritance has been reported previously. The condition described in this report appears to be different. However, the two conditions may be part of a spectrum occurring in a single genetic entity with the diversity possibly resulting from variable expressivity of a single gene.

Oral manifestations of infantile systemic hyalinosis.

Oral manifestations of infantile systemic hyalinosis in a child of Asian origin are presented. Infantile systemic hyalinosis is a rare fatal condition with probably an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. The symptoms become apparent soon after birth and death usually occurs before the age of two years. The systemic features are essentially due to widespread deposition of hyaline material in tissues. These include thickening and nodularity of skin, growth failure, joint contractures, osteoporosis, diarrhoea and recurrent infections. The oral changes in the case reported here included thickening of the oral mucosa, extensive overgrowth of gingival tissue, osteoporosis, marked curvature of the dental roots, and replacement of periodontal ligament by hyaline fibrous material. Immunohistochemistry revealed widespread presence of Type VI collagen in the connective tissue with particularly intense staining in the hyaline material.