The mode of cisplatin-induced cell death in CYP2E1-overexpressing HepG2 cells: modulation by ERK, ROS, glutathione, and thioredoxin

In a previous study, E47 HepG2 cells that overexpress human CYP2E1 were shown to be more sensitive to cisplatin than C34 cells that do not express CYP2E1. In this study, we found that this sensitivity was due to an earlier activation of ERK in the E47 cells compared to the C34 cells. Glutathione depletion by L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) enhanced cisplatin cytotoxicity via increasing production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of ERK. In contrast, elevation of glutathione by glutathione ethyl ester (GSHE) decreased cisplatin/BSO cytotoxicity by decreasing ROS production and ERK activation. Inhibition of ERK activation by U0126 protected against cisplatin/BSO cytotoxicity via inhibiting ROS production but not restoring intracellular glutathione content. Examination of the mode of cell death showed that U0126 inhibited cisplatin-induced necrosis but not apoptosis. Cisplatin-induced apoptosis was caspases-dependent; BSO switched cisplatin-induced apoptosis to necrosis via decreasing activity of caspases, and GSHE switched cisplatin/BSO-induced necrosis back to apoptosis through maintaining activity of caspases. Similar to GSHE, U0126 partially switched cisplatin/BSO induced necrosis to apoptosis via restoring activity of caspases. Cisplatin lowered levels of thioredoxin, especially in the presence of BSO. Although U0126 failed in restoring intracellular glutathione levels, it restored thioredoxin levels, which maintain the activity of the caspases. These results suggest that thioredoxin can replace glutathione to promote the active thiol redox state necessary for caspase activity, and thus glutathione and thioredoxin regulate the mode of cisplatin toxicity in E47 cells via redox regulation of caspase activity.     

Glutathione, a first line of defense against cadmium toxicity

Experimental modulation of cellular glutathione levels has been used to explore the role of glutathione in cadmium toxicity. Mice treated with buthionine sulfoximine [an effective irreversible inhibitor of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (EC 6.3.2.2) that decreases cellular levels of glutathione markedly] were sensitized to the toxic effects of CdCl2. Mice pretreated with a sublethal dose of Cd2+ to induce metallothionein synthesis were not sensitized to Cd2+ by buthionine sulfoximine. Mice sensitized to Cd2+ by buthionine sulfoximine were protected against a lethal dose of Cd2+ by glutathione mono isopropyl ester (L-gamma-glutamyl-L-cysteinylglycylisopropyl ester), but not by glutathione. These results are in accord with studies that showed that glutathione mono esters (in contrast to glutathione) are efficiently transported into cells and converted intracellularly to glutathione. The findings indicate that intracellular glutathione functions in protection against Cd2+ toxicity, and that this tripeptide provides a first line of defense against Cd2+ before induction of metallothionein synthesis occurs. The experimental approach used here in which cellular levels of glutathione are decreased or increased seems applicable to investigation of other types of metal toxicity and of other glutathione-dependent biological phenomena.     

Glutathione monoethyl ester: preparation, uptake by tissues, and conversion to glutathione

Glutathione monoethyl ester (L-gamma-glutamyl-L-cysteinylglycyl ethyl ester), in contrast to glutathione itself, is effectively transported into many types of cells. The ester is converted intracellularly into glutathione. Intraperitoneal injection of 35S-labeled ester into mice was followed by rapid appearance of isotope in the glutathione of liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas, and heart; the glutathione levels of these tissues also increased. Oral administration of the ester to mice also increased cellular glutathione levels. Relatively little extracellular deesterification was found. Transport of glutathione ester into human erythrocytes and intracellular conversion to glutathione was observed. The findings suggest that the glutathione ester will be useful as a radioprotecting agent and in the prevention and treatment of toxicity due to certain foreign compounds and oxygen. The ester may be useful in experimental work on glutathione transport, metabolism, and function, and in related studies on oxygen toxicity, radiation, mutagenesis, and ageing. Methods for the preparation of glutathione monoethyl ester and several related compounds are given.     

Protective effect of reduced glutathione against cisplatin-induced renal and systemic toxicity and its influence on the therapeutic activity of the antitumor drug

Reduced glutathione has been shown to be an effective protector against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity of potential clinical value, since it does not reduce antitumor activity of the cytotoxic drug. This paper extends previous observations on the protective potential of reduced glutathione against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, in different rodent models. Following i.v. administration, glutathione protection against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity was found to be critically dependent on timing of thiol administration. Whereas the sulfhydryl compound provided almost complete protection in CD rats, the protective effect against toxic renal damage was only partial in mice of different strains. In spite of the modest protection against kidney toxicity, glutathione reduced lethal toxicity in the mouse. Under the same experimental conditions at protective dose levels, the tripeptide thiol did not interfere with the antitumor effectiveness of cisplatin, in any of the tumor models examined. The kidney content of non-protein sulfhydryls of CD rats produced by the effective dose of glutathione was markedly higher than that found in the mouse treated with the same dose. This finding is consistent with a differential protection provided by glutathione against cisplatin-induced renal toxicity in these species.     

Modulation of DNA single-strand breaks by intracellular glutathione in human lung cells exposed to asbestos fibers

We investigated the role of glutathione and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in fiber-induced cell and DNA toxicity using alkaline (pH 13) single-cell gel electrophoresis (the Comet assay). Transformed cultured human pleural mesothelial (MeT-5A) cells and alveolar epithelial cells (A549) were exposed to crocidolite asbestos fibers (1-10 microg/cm(2)) in the presence of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) or L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME). BSO inhibits gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS) and causes glutathione depletion, and L-NAME inhibits nitric oxide generation. Studies were also conducted to assess the expression of the heavy and light subunits of gamma-GCS in human pleural mesothelium and bronchial epithelium in vivo and the induction of inducible NOS (iNOS) by asbestos fibers. Asbestos fibers caused DNA single-strand breaks, and the process was significantly enhanced by BSO (69% compared to the non-treated cells). A549 cells had a 3.5-fold glutathione content compared to MeT-5A cells, which was consistent with the higher resistance of these cells against oxidants and fibers. Flow cytometry of iNOS showed no change of iNOS by the fibers in either cell type in vitro. L-NAME had no effects on the DNA single-strand breaks in the Comet assay, either. Studies on lung biopsies showed that the immunoreactivities of both gamma-GCS subunits were very low in healthy human mesothelium in vivo. We conclude that glutathione may play an essential role in protecting intact cells against fiber-induced oxidative DNA alterations, and low gamma-GCS reactivity in pleural mesothelium may be associated with the high sensitivity of mesothelial cells to fiber-induced toxicity.     

Cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity and the modulating effect of glutathione ester

The objective of this study was to assess the therapeutic advantage of glutathione ester along with cisplatin. Comparisons were made with renal reduced glutathione, enzymatic antioxidants, and lipid peroxidation levels. Cisplatin caused differential toxic effects on renal antioxidants and lipid peroxidation. However administration of glutathione ester modulates the toxic effects of cisplatin observed in renal antioxidants and lipid peroxidation. The finding that glutathione ester co-administration along with cisplatin is more effective and advantageous in protecting against the nephrotoxicity of cisplatin when it was given alone.     

The relative importance of glutathione and metallothionein on protection of hepatotoxicity of menadione in rats.

The effects of induction of metallothionein (MT) on the toxicity of menadione were investigated in rat liver slices. The protective role of hepatic glutathione (GSH) was also studied and compared to that of MT. A 3-h incubation of rat liver slices with menadione (100-300 microM) containing medium (37 degrees C, pH 7.4, 95%O2:5%CO2) resulted in cellular toxicity, as shown by changes in cytosolic K, Ca and GSH concentrations and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage. A dose-dependent decrease in cytosolic K and GSH was observed concomitant with an increase in cytosolic Ca and LDH leakage after incubation with menadione. Pretreatment of rats with zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) (30 mg/kg body wt.) increased MT levels in liver slices and suppressed the toxicity of menadione. Intracellular GSH concentrations in liver slices were either depleted or increased by injection of rats with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), (4 mmol/kg body wt.) and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) (1.6 g/kg body wt.), respectively. Intracellular GSH was found to be crucial in protection against menadione toxicity. Menadione toxicity was increased when the rats were injected with sodium phenobarbital (PB) (4 x 80 mg/kg body wt.). Pretreatment with Zn provided partial protection against menadione toxicity in liver slices from both BSO- and PB-injected rats. These findings suggest that induction of MT synthesis does protect against quinone-induced toxicity, but the role may be secondary to that of GSH. The mechanisms by which MT protect against menadione toxicity are still unclear but may involve protection of both redox cycling and sulphydryl arylation.     

Ascorbate is a pro-oxidant in chromium-treated human lung cells

The human A549 lung cell line is used in this study as a model to evaluate chromium toxicity and mutagenesis since inhalation exposure of this metal gives rise to an epidemiology that indicates the lung as a target organ of chromium toxicity. Hexavalent chromium is considered the carcinogenic form of chromium, however it must be reductively activated following uptake into cells in order to react with intracellular constituents. We have previously established that the fluorescent dyes, dichlorofluorescein (DCF) and dihydrorhodamine, are effective indicators of the reductive activation of chromium and are sensitive measures of the formation of highly reactive chromium species (RCS) intracellularly. In order to examine the role of the two common intracellular reductants, glutathione and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) in generating RCS intracellularly, we manipulated their intracellular levels through the use of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) or by the addition of ascorbate into the culture media. We found that the high levels of glutathione in this cancer cell line lowered endogenous oxidation levels markedly, and that, by decreasing intracellular glutathione, BSO not only generated a higher background level of endogenous intracellular oxidation but the chromium-stimulated oxidation also increased markedly. Contrary to it appellation as an anti-oxidant, ascorbic acid stimulated a strong pro-oxidant response upon chromium treatment and this pro-oxidant response was evident regardless of the levels of glutathione in the cells. Based on these results, we conclude that ascorbic acid acts as a pro-oxidant in chromium-treated cells.     

Ascorbate is a pro-oxidant in chromium-treated human lung cells

The human A549 lung cell line is used in this study as a model to evaluate chromium toxicity and mutagenesis since inhalation exposure of this metal gives rise to an epidemiology that indicates the lung as a target organ of chromium toxicity. Hexavalent chromium is considered the carcinogenic form of chromium, however it must be reductively activated following uptake into cells in order to react with intracellular constituents. We have previously established that the fluorescent dyes, dichlorofluorescein (DCF) and dihydrorhodamine, are effective indicators of the reductive activation of chromium and are sensitive measures of the formation of highly reactive chromium species (RCS) intracellularly. In order to examine the role of the two common intracellular reductants, glutathione and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) in generating RCS intracellularly, we manipulated their intracellular levels through the use of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) or by the addition of ascorbate into the culture media. We found that the high levels of glutathione in this cancer cell line lowered endogenous oxidation levels markedly, and that, by decreasing intracellular glutathione, BSO not only generated a higher background level of endogenous intracellular oxidation but the chromium-stimulated oxidation also increased markedly. Contrary to it appellation as an anti-oxidant, ascorbic acid stimulated a strong pro-oxidant response upon chromium treatment and this pro-oxidant response was evident regardless of the levels of glutathione in the cells. Based on these results, we conclude that ascorbic acid acts as a pro-oxidant in chromium-treated cells.     

Cisplatin-induced genotoxic effects and endogenous glutathione levels in mice bearing ascites Dalton's lymphoma

cis-Diaminedichloroplatinum(II), commonly known as cisplatin, treatment of mice for 24-96, 30 h and 10 days caused the development of chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells as well as in Dalton's lymphoma (DL) cells, micronuclei (MN) in bone marrow cells and abnormalities in sperm heads, and it indicates the genotoxic potential of cisplatin in the host. Cisplatin exerts differential effects on the chromosomes of the bone marrow and tumor cells. Combination treatment of cisplatin with L-buthionine(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of glutathione (GSH) synthesis, enhanced these cisplatin-induced genotoxic effects, but supplementing glutathione level with cysteine, its precursor, reduced the cisplatin-induced genotoxicity. The reduction in cellular glutathione level may facilitate increased intracellular accumulation and binding of drug to DNA to enhance the frequency of genotoxicity parameters. These findings support the possible involvement of glutathione as an important intracellular protective agent and suggest that differences in its levels may be one of the factors in the varying sensitivity of cells to cisplatin-induced genotoxic effects in the mice bearing ascites Dalton's lymphoma.     

Quantitative study of natural antioxidant systems for cellular nitrofurantoin toxicity

The toxicity of nitrofurantoin was studied on human WI-38 fibroblasts: this chemical was lethal when added at concentrations higher than 5.10(-5) M in the culture medium. The protection afforded by antioxidants was then tested: alpha-tocopherol gave at 10(-4) M a light protection in contrast to ascorbic acid which even became toxic at high concentrations. We also tested catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase introduced intracellularly by the microinjection technique. On a molecular basis, glutathione peroxidase was 23-times more efficient than catalase and 3000-times more than superoxide dismutase. The results also showed that a similar range of enzyme concentrations was found for the protection against high oxygen pressure. This suggests that, in the case of both oxygen and nitrofurantoin toxicity, the peroxide derivatives are the most toxic intermediates of the free radical attacks.     

Nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder of unknown pathogenesis. Oxidative stress has been proposed as one of several pathogenic hypotheses. Evidence for the participation of oxidative processes in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease have been obtained in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) model by the use of genetically altered mice. MPTP administration has been shown to increase levels of superoxide both intracellularly, via the inhibition of mitochondrial respiration and other mechanisms and extracellularly, via the activation of NADPH-oxidase in microglia. In addition to superoxide, nitric oxide production by nNOS or by microglial iNOS also contributes to the MPTP neurotoxocity. Mice with endowed defences against superoxide or with deficiency in the nNOS and iNOS are protected from MPTP toxicity suggesting that formation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates both intracellularly and extracellularly contributes to the demise of dopaminergic neurons. Similar contribution of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species may well underlie the neurodegenerative processes in Parkinson's disease.     

Pharmacological Modulation of Cisplatin Toxicity Rhythms with Buthionine Sulfoximine in Mice Bearing Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma (PO3)

In a previous report, we showed that the circadian rhythm of cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum, CDDP) toxicity in healthy mice was modified by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), a specific inhibitor of glutathione (GSH) synthesis. In the present study, the effects of BSO on the rhythms of CDDP toxicity and antitumor efficacy were investigated in mice bearing a transplantable pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PO3). B₆D₂F₁ mice were inoculated widi two 4 mm³ tumor fragments, one in each flank, then were synchronized with an alternation of 12h of light (L) and 12h of darkness (D) (LD 12: 12). Three weeks later, a single dose of CDDP (12 mg/kg iv) was injected at 3h, 7h, 11h, 15h, 19h, or 23h after light onset (HALO) with or without prior BSO (450 mg/kg ip 4h earlier). The antitumor activity of CDDP as assessed by tumor weight change and tumor growth delay was weak in this tumor model irrespective of prior BSO administration or CDDP dosing time. Nevertheless, toxic effects of CDDP as gauged by body weight loss or survival varied significantly according to CDDP dosing time. Body weight loss was least in mice receiving CDDP alone at the mid-to-late active span. Survival rate was 97% in mice treated with CDDP alone and 47% in those receiving prior BSO (χ² = 23.6, p <. 0001). BSO pretreatment further shifted the period of survival or body weight change from 24h to (10 + 24)h, an effect similar to that earlier reported in healthy mice. Thus, PO3 tumor at a measurable stage altered neither the circadian rhythm in CDDP toxicity nor the ultradian rhythm in the toxicity of BSO-CDDP combination. The results suggest that rhythms in target tissues for drug actions can be manipulated with biochemical modulators, thus partly escaping central clock control.     

Effects of organoselenium compound 2-(5-selenocyanato-pentyl)-benzo[de]isoquinoline 1,3-dione on cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity and genotoxicity: an investigation of the influence of the compound on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme system

Cisplatin is one of the most active cytotoxic agents used in the treatment of cancer. However, cisplatin therapy is also associated with severe side effects like nephrotoxicity and genotoxicity. Free oxygen radicals are known to play a major role in cisplatin induced toxicities. Selenium is believed to be an important trace element and dietary antioxidant because of its ability to scavenge free oxygen radicals, thereby preventing cells from oxidative stress. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the protective role of a novel naphthalimide based organoselenium compound 2-(5-selenocyanato-pentyl)-benzo[de]isoquinoline 1,3-dione against cisplatin induced toxicities in Swiss albino mice. Cisplatin was administered intraperitoneally (5 mg/kg b.w.) and the organoselenium compound was given by oral gavages (3 mg/kg b.w.) in concomitant and pretreatment schedule. The results showed that the test compound substantially reduced cisplatin induced reactive oxygen species generation and lipid peroxidation in kidney as well as blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in serum. Treatment with organoselenium compound was also able to restore the renal antioxidant system by modulating the cisplatin induced depleted activities of glutathione S-transferase, thioredoxin reductase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione level. In addition, the organoselenium compound could efficiently minimize cisplatin induced chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells and extent of DNA damage in lymphocytes. Furthermore, the chemoprotective efficacy of the compound against cisplatin induced toxicity was confirmed by histopathological evaluation. The results suggest that the organoselenium compound has the potential to protect against cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity and genotoxicity in part by scavenging reactive oxygen species and by up regulating the antioxidant enzyme system.     

Acetaminophen toxicity. Opposite effects of two forms of glutathione peroxidase

Acetaminophen is one of the most extensively used analgesics/antipyretics worldwide, and overdose or idiopathic reaction causes major morbidity and mortality in its victims. Research into the mechanisms of toxicity and possible therapeutic intervention is therefore essential. In this study, the response of transgenic mice overexpressing human antioxidant enzymes to acute acetaminophen overdose was investigated. Animals overexpressing superoxide dismutase or plasma glutathione peroxidase demonstrated dramatic resistance to acetaminophen toxicity. Intravenous injection of glutathione peroxidase provided normal mice with nearly complete protection against a lethal dose of acetaminophen. Surprisingly, animals overexpressing intracellular glutathione peroxidase in the liver were significantly more sensitive to acetaminophen toxicity compared with nontransgenic littermates. This sensitivity appears to be due to the inability of these animals to efficiently recover glutathione depleted as a result of acetaminophen metabolism. Finally, the results suggest that glutathione peroxidase overexpression modulates the synthesis of several acetaminophen metabolites. Our results demonstrate the ability of glutathione peroxidase levels to influence the outcome of acetaminophen toxicity.     

Level of haem oxygenase does not obligatorily reflect the sensitivity of PC12 cells to an oxidative shock induced by glutathione depletion

In order to investigate the function of haem oxygenase in neuronal cell death or survival, we have determined in PC12 cells whether induction of haem oxygenase mRNA and protein or inhibition of haem oxygenase activity may be able to modulate the cell response to an oxidative stress. Inhibition of glutathione biosynthesis by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) has indeed been demonstrated, in this cell line, to decrease the intracellular content of glutathione and to trigger a gradual and programmed cell death. Inhibition of haem oxygenase by zinc protoporphyrin IX, a potent inhibitor of this enzyme, or by a recently described peptidic inhibitor, induced a significant decrease in the toxicity of BSO. This protective action was not due to an alteration in the metabolism of glutathione and was still observed when the protecting agent was added several hours after BSO treatment. Induction of haem oxygenase-1 mRNA and protein by either haemin or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate was associated with no protection or a significant reduction in the toxicity of BSO respectively. Our results indicate that induction of haem oxygenase-1 is not obligatorily associated with an improved resistance towards oxidative stress and suggest that a byproduct of haem degradation may also become detrimental.     

Manganese-Induced Neurotoxicity is Differentially Enhanced by Glutathione Depletion in Astrocytoma and Neuroblastoma Cells

Manganese (Mn) is neurotoxic: the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. l-Buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO) is an irreversible inhibitor of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase, an important enzyme in glutathione (GSH) synthesis. To test the hypothesis that BSO modulates Mn toxicity, we investigated the effects of treatment of U-87 or SK-N-SH cells with MnCl₂, BSO, or MnCl₂ plus BSO. We monitored cell viability using MTT assay, staining with HO-33342 to assess live and/or apoptotic cells, and staining with propidium iodide (PI) to assess necrotic cells; we also measured cellular glutathione. Our results indicate decreased viability in both cell types when treated with MnCl₂ or BSO: Mn was more toxic to SK-N-SH cells, whereas BSO was more toxic to U-87 cells. Because BSO treatment accentuated Mn toxicity in both cell lines, GSH may act to combat Mn toxicity. Thus, further investigation in oxidative stress mediated by glutathione depletion will unravel new Mn toxicity mechanism(s).     

Effect of glutathione depletion on antitumor drug toxicity (apoptosis and necrosis) in U-937 human promonocytic cells. The role of intracellular oxidation

Treatment with the DNA topoisomerase inhibitors etoposide, doxorubicin, and camptothecin, and with the alkylating agents cisplatin and melphalan, caused peroxide accumulation and apoptosis in U-937 human promonocytic cells. Preincubation with the reduced glutathione (GSH) synthesis inhibitor l-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO) always potentiated peroxide accumulation. However, although GSH depletion potentiated the toxicity of cisplatin and melphalan, occasionally switching the mode of death from apoptosis to necrosis, it did not affect the toxicity of the other antitumor drugs. Hypoxia or preincubation with antioxidant agents attenuated death induction, apoptotic and necrotic, by alkylating drugs. The generation of necrosis by cisplatin could not be mimicked by addition of exogenous H(2)O(2) instead of BSO and was not adequately explained by caspase inactivation nor by a selective fall in ATP content. Treatment with cisplatin and melphalan caused a late decrease in mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DeltaPsim), which was much greater during necrosis than during apoptosis. The administration of the antioxidant agents N-acetyl-l-cysteine and butylated hydroxyanisole after pulse treatment with cisplatin or melphalan did not affect apoptosis but attenuated necrosis. Under these conditions, both antioxidants attenuated the necrosis-associated DeltaPsim decrease. These results indicate that oxidation-mediated alterations in mitochondrial function regulate the selection between apoptosis and necrosis in alkylating drug-treated human promonocytic cells.     

Protective effect of chlorpromazine against the lethality of interleukin 1 in adrenalectomized or actinomycin D-sensitized mice

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) are thought to play a key role in septic shock and inflammation. We have tested the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) and chlorpromazine (CPZ) on the lethal effect of IL-1, TNF and endotoxin. Two different experimental models were used to sensitize mice to the lethal effect of IL-1: adrenalectomy and pretreatment with actinomycin D. CPZ (4 mg/kg) was found to protect mice against IL-1 and endotoxin toxicity in all cases, while DEX had a protective effect only in adrenalectomized mice. In contrast to its protective effect against IL-1 and endotoxin, CPZ did not protect mice against TNF. These findings might be useful in the analysis of the differences in the actions of IL-1 and TNF in vivo, and in the development of new drugs preventing their toxicity.