COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BIOTOLERANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT GELS COMPOSED OF BENZYDAMINE AND FLAVONOIDS THAT WERE DEVELOPED FOR TREATMENT OF PERIODONTAL DISEASES IN ORTHODONTIC PATIENTS.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: Different gels composed of benzydamine and flavonoids that were developed for treatment of periodontal diseases in the orthodontic patients will be compared regarding their effects on survival of mammalian cells of various tissue origin and their DNA intactness. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: Effect of different variants of patented gel composition «Benzidaflaziverdine¼ including a gel base and «Proteflazid®¼ containing flavonoids and benzydamine hydrochloride in powder form («T-Sept®¼) towards survival (MTT) of murine BALB-3T3 fibroblasts, J774.2 macrophages, human HaCaT keratinocytes was studied. Their effect on nativity of DNA of J774.2 macrophages was evaluated using DNA-comet assay. RESULTS: Results: Three gel compositions were used. Sample 1 was prepared on gel basis including benzydamine in liquid form and demonstrated inhibitory effect towards pseudonormal murine BALB-3T3 fibroblasts and murine J774.2 macrophages, however, normal human НаСаТ keratinocytes were resistant to its action. Sample 2 included BH in powder form and it did not affect significantly НаСаТ keratinocytes аnd BALB-3T3 fibroblasts, but it suppressed J774.2 macrophages. Sample 3 («Benzidaflaziverdine¼) was developed and patented by us as a gel composed of benzydamine in powder form and flavonoid drops «Proteflazid®¼. It did not suppress tested mammalian cells and was not genotoxic (measured as % of DNA in comet tail and Olive Tail Moment) for murine J774.2 macrophages. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Inclusion of flavonoids in gel composition «Benzidaflaziverdine¼ blocked cytotoxic and genotoxic actions of benzydamine. Developed gel com¬position might be efficient in clinical periodontology, in particular, for treatment of periodontal diseases in orthodontic patients.

Differential pro-apoptotic effects of synthetic 4-thiazolidinone derivative Les-3288, doxorubicin and temozolomide in human glioma U251 cells.

AIM: To compare various pro-apoptotic effects of synthetic 4-thiazolidinone derivative (Les-3288), doxorubicin (Dox) and temozolomide (TMZ) in the treatment of human glioma U251 cells to improve treatment outcomes of glioblastoma and avoid anticancer drug resistance. METHODS: The cytotoxic effects of drugs used in human glioma U251 cells were measured by cell viability and proliferation assay (MTT), Trypan blue exclusion test, and Western-blot analysis of the apoptosis-related proteins. In addition, flow cytometry study of reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in glioma cells was carried out. Cytomorphological changes in treated cells were monitored by fluorescent microscopy after cell staining with Hoechst 33342 and ethydium bromide. RESULTS: Half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of Les-3288, Dox, and TMZ was calculated for human glioblastoma U251 cells. The rating of the values of this indicator of cellular vitality was assessed. The results of MTT assay proved the superiority of Les-3288 vs Les-3288>Dox>TMZ, which is in agreement with the results of Trypan blue testing showing Les-3288≈Dox>TMZ. In general, such ranking corresponded to a scale of pro-apoptotic impairments in the morphology of glioma U251 cells and the results of Western-blot analysis of cleaved Caspase 3. Contrary to Dox, Les-3288 and TMZ did not affect significantly ROS levels in the treated cells. CONCLUSION: The effect of the synthetic 4-thiazolidinone derivative Les-3288 is realized via apoptosis mechanisms and does not involve ROS. In comparison with Dox and TMZ, it is more effective in destroying human glioblastoma U251 cells. Les-3288 compound has a potential as an anticancer drug for glioblastoma. Nevertheless, further preclinical studies of the blood-brain barrier are needed.

Tissue-protective activity of selenomethionine and D-panthetine in B16 melanoma-bearing mice under doxorubicin treatment is not connected with their ROS scavenging potential.

AIM: To evaluate molecular mechanisms of tissue-protective effects of antioxidants selenomethionine (SeMet) and D-pantethine (D-Pt) applied in combination with doxorubicin (Dx) in B16 melanoma-bearing-mice. METHODS: Impact of the chemotherapy scheme on a survival of tumor-bearing animals, general nephro- and hepatotoxicity, blood cell profile in vivo, and ROS content in B16 melanoma cells in vitro was compared with the action of Dx applied alone. Nephrotoxicity of the drugs was evaluated by measuring creatinine indicator assay, hepatotoxicity was studied by measuring the activity of ALT/AST enzymes, and myelotoxicity was assessed by light microscopic analysis of blood smears. Changes in ROS content in B16 melanoma cells under Dx, SeMet, and D-Pt action in vitro were measured by incubation with fluorescent dyes dihydrodichlorofluoresceindiacetate (DCFDA, H2O2-specific) and dihydroethidium (DHE, O2--specific), and further analysis at FL1 (DCFDA) or FL2 channels (DHE) of FACScan flow cytometer. The impact of aforementioned compounds on functional status of mitochondria was measured by Rhodamine 123 assay and further analysis at FL1 channel of FACScan flow cytometer. RESULTS: Selenomethionine (1200 µg/kg) and D-pantethine (500 mg/kg) in combination with Dx (10 mg/kg) significantly reduced tumor-induced neutrophilia, lymphocytopenia, and leukocytosis in comparison to Dx treatment alone. Moreover, SeMet and D-Pt decreased several side effects of Dx, namely an elevated creatinine level in blood and monocytosis, thus normalizing health conditions of B16 melanoma-bearing animals. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that antioxidants selenomethionine and D-pantethine possess significant nephroprotective and myeloprotective activity toward Dx action on murine B16 melanoma in vivo, but fail to boost a survival of B16 melanoma-bearing animals. The observed cytoprotective effects of studied antioxidants are not directly connected with their ROS scavenging.

Rapid generation of hydrogen peroxide contributes to the complex cell death induction by the angucycline antibiotic landomycin E.

Landomycin E (LE) is an angucycline antibiotic produced by Streptomyces globisporus. Previously, we have shown a broad anticancer activity of LE which is, in contrast to the structurally related and clinically used anthracycline doxorubicin (Dx), only mildly affected by multidrug resistance-mediated drug efflux. In the present study, cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer activity of landomycin E towards Jurkat T-cell leukemia cells were dissected focusing on the involvement of radical oxygen species (ROS). LE-induced apoptosis distinctly differed in several aspects from the one induced by Dx. Rapid generation of both extracellular and cell-derived hydrogen peroxide already at one hour drug exposure was observed in case of LE but not found before 24h for Dx. In contrast, Dx but not LE induced production of superoxide radicals. Mitochondrial damage, as revealed by JC-1 staining, was weakly enhanced already at 3h LE treatment and increased significantly with time. Accordingly, activation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway initiator caspase-9 was not detectable before 12h exposure. In contrast, cleavage of the down-stream caspase substrate PARP-1 was clearly induced already at the three hour time point. Out of all caspases tested, only activation of effector caspase-7 was induced at this early time points paralleling the LE-induced oxidative burst. Accordingly, this massive cleavage of caspase-7 at early time points was inhibitable by the radical scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Additionally, only simultaneous inhibition of multiple caspases reduced LE-induced apoptosis. Specific scavengers of both H2O2 and OH• effectively decreased LE-induced ROS production, but only partially inhibited LE-induced apoptosis. In contrast, NAC efficiently blocked both parameters. Summarizing, rapid H2O2 generation and a complex caspase activation pattern contribute to the antileukemic effects of LE. As superoxide generation is considered as the main cardiotoxic mechanism of Dx, LE might represent a better tolerable drug candidate for further (pre)clinical development.

Putative anticancer potential of novel 4-thiazolidinone derivatives: cytotoxicity toward rat C6 glioma in vitro and correlation of general toxicity with the balance of free radical oxidation in rats.

AIM: To evaluate the cytotoxic action of 4-thiazolidinone derivatives (ID 3288, ID 3882, and ID 3833) toward rat glioma C6 cells and to compare the effects of these compounds and doxorubicin on the balance of free radical oxidation (FRO) and antioxidant activity (AOA) in the serum of rats. METHODS: Glioma cells were treated with ID 3882, ID 3288, ID 3833, and doxorubicin, and their cytotoxicity was studied using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and Trypan blue exclusion test, light and fluorescent microscopy, and flow cytometric study of cell cycling and apoptosis, including measuring of Annexin V-positive cells. The contents of superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, malonic dialdehyde, and hydrogen sulfide were measured in the serum of rats. Enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (Cat), and glutathione peroxydase (GPO) was determined. RESULTS: Among novel 4-thiazolidinone derivatives, ID 3288 was most toxic toward rat glioma C6 cells, even compared with doxorubicin. All applied derivatives were less active than doxorubicin in inducing reactive oxygen species-related indicators in the serum of rats. A similar effect was observed when enzymatic indicators of AOA processes were measured. While doxorubicin inhibited the activity of SOD, GPO, and Cat, the effects of 4-thiazolidinone derivatives were less prominent. CONCLUSION: Novel 4-thiazolidinone derivatives differ in their antineoplastic action toward rat glioma C6 cells, and ID 3288 possesses the highest activity compared to doxorubicin. Measurement of indicators of FRO and AOA in the serum of rats treated with these compounds showed their lower general toxicity compared with doxorubicin's toxicity.

Antioxidants selenomethionine and D-pantethine decrease the negative side effects of doxorubicin in NL/Ly lymphoma-bearing mice.

AIM: To investigate the potential tissue-protective effects of antioxidants selenomethionine and D-pantethine applied together with doxorubicin (Dx) on NK/Ly lymphoma-bearing mice. The impact of this chemotherapy scheme on animal survival, blood cell profile, hepatotoxicity, glutathione level, and activity of glutathione-converting enzymes in the liver was compared with the action of Dx applied alone.. METHODS: The hematological profile of animals was studied by the analysis of blood smears under light microscopy. Hepatotoxicity of studied drugs was evaluated measuring the activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzymes, De Ritis ratio, and coenzyme A fractions by McDougal assay. Glutathione level in animal tissues was measured with Ellman reagent, and the activity of glutathione reductase, transferase, and peroxidase was measured using standard biochemical assays. RESULTS: D-pantethine (500 mg/kg) and, to a lower extent, selenomethionine (600 µg/kg) partially reduced the negative side effects (leukocytopenia and erythropenia) of Dx (5 mg/kg) in NK/Ly lymphoma bearing animals on the 14th day of their treatment. This increased animal survival time from 47-48 to 60+ days and improved the quality of their life. This ability of D-pantethine and selenomethionine was realized via hepatoprotective and immunomodulating activities. D-pantethine also restored the levels of acid-soluble and free CoA in the liver of tumor-bearing animals, while selenomethionine caused the recovery of glutathione peroxidase levels in the liver, which was significantly diminished under Dx treatment. Both compounds decreased glutathione level in the liver, which was considerably induced by Dx. CONCLUSIONS: Antioxidants selenomethionine and D-pantethine partially reversed the negative side effects of Dx in NK/Ly lymphoma-bearing mice and significantly increased the therapeutic efficiency of this drug in tumor treatment.

Complex of C60 Fullerene with Doxorubicin as a Promising Agent in Antitumor Therapy.

The main aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of doxorubicin in complex with C60 fullerene (C60 + Dox) on the growth and metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma in mice and to perform a primary screening of the potential mechanisms of C60 + Dox complex action. We found that volume of tumor from mice treated with the C60 + Dox complex was 1.4 times less than that in control untreated animals. The number of metastatic foci in lungs of animals treated with C60 + Dox complex was two times less than that in control untreated animals. Western blot analysis of tumor lysates revealed a significant decrease in the level of heat-shock protein 70 in animals treated with C60 + Dox complex. Moreover, the treatment of tumor-bearing mice was accompanied by the increase of cytotoxic activity of immune cells. Thus, the potential mechanisms of antitumor effect of C60 + Dox complex include both its direct action on tumor cells by inducing cell death and increasing of stress sensitivity and an immunomodulating effect. The obtained results provide a scientific basis for further application of C60 + Dox nanocomplexes as treatment agents in cancer chemotherapy.

Respiration characteristics of mitochondria in parental and giant transformed cells of the murine Nemeth-Kellner lymphoma.

Respiration characteristics of mitochondria of the parental and giant cells of murine NK/Ly (Nemeth-Kellner lymphoma) were studied. The giant cell-enriched ascites were obtained by serial intraperitoneal injections of vinblastine in tumour-bearing mice. Ascites containing >70% giant cells were used. Their diameter of was over 17 µm (~2800 µm(3)), while the diameter of the parental cells was 12.7 µm (1100 µm(3)). The respiration rate of mitochondria in situ was measured by oxygen consumption in intact and digitonin-permeabilized NK/Ly cells. Endogenous respiration of intact giant NK/Ly cells was three times higher compared to the parental ones, roughly in agreement with the volume change. The giant NK/Ly cells were far more resistant to permeabilization with digitonin than the parental cells, as shown by Trypan Blue and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) release tests. After digitonin permeabilization, oxygen consumption was reduced to a minimal level (0.06 ng atom O/(s × 106 cells) in both types of cells. Addition of α-ketoglutarate or succinate to the incubation medium increased oxygen consumption in the parental cells by 46 and 164% respectively. In the giant NK/Ly cells, the corresponding increases were 164 and 276%. Addition of ADP to α-ketoglutarate- or succinate-supplemented medium further stimulated oxygen consumption of the permeabilized NK/Ly cells; however, the effect of ADP was more pronounced in the giant cells. In addition, indices of respiratory control were significantly higher in the giant cells. Oligomycin suppressed considerably the respiration of the intact giant cells but had a much weaker effect on parental cells. Thus, giant NK/Ly cells possess much higher respiration rates and show tighter coupling between the respiration and oxidative phosphorylation compared with parental cells.

Macrophages discriminate glycosylation patterns of apoptotic cell-derived microparticles.

Inappropriate clearance of apoptotic remnants is considered to be the primary cause of systemic autoimmune diseases, like systemic lupus erythematosus. Here we demonstrate that apoptotic cells release distinct types of subcellular membranous particles (scMP) derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or the plasma membrane. Both types of scMP exhibit desialylated glycotopes resulting from surface exposure of immature ER-derived glycoproteins or from surface-borne sialidase activity, respectively. Sialidase activity is activated by caspase-dependent mechanisms during apoptosis. Cleavage of sialidase Neu1 by caspase 3 was shown to be directly involved in apoptosis-related increase of surface sialidase activity. ER-derived blebs possess immature mannosidic glycoepitopes and are prioritized by macrophages during clearance. Plasma membrane-derived blebs contain nuclear chromatin (DNA and histones) but not components of the nuclear envelope. Existence of two immunologically distinct types of apoptotic blebs may provide new insights into clearance-related diseases.

Anti-histone H1 IgGs from blood serum of systemic lupus erythematosus patients are capable of hydrolyzing histone H1 and myelin basic protein.

Novel hydrolytic activity of the anti-histone H1 antibodies (Ab) toward histone H1 and myelin basic protein (MBP) was shown. Blood serum of ten patients with clinically diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and nine healthy donors (control) were screened for the anti-histone H1 antibody- and anti-MBP antibody-mediated specific proteolytic activity. IgGs were isolated by chromatography on Protein G-Sepharose, and four of ten SLE patients appeared to possess IgGs that were capable of cleaving both histone H1 and MBP. Such activity was confirmed to be an intrinsic property of the IgG molecule, since it was preserved at gel filtration at alkaline and acidic pH. At the same time, proteolytic activity was absent in the sera-derived Ab of all healthy donors under control. Anti-histone IgGs were purified by the affinity chromatography on histone H1-Sepharose. Their cross-reactivity toward cationic proteins (histones, lysozyme, and MBP) and their capability of hydrolyzing histone H1 and MBP were detected. However, these IgGs were not cleaving core histones, lysozyme, or albumin. Capability of cleaving histone H1 and MBP was preserved after additional purification of anti-histone H1 IgGs by the HPLC gel filtration. The protease activity of anti-histone H1 IgG Ab was inhibited by serine protease inhibitors.