Changes in glutathione-S-transferase activity during induction of resistance of leukemia P 388 and Ehrlich ascitic tumor cells to doxorubicin]

We have studied by uridine short term test the level of resistance of murine leukemia cell lines P 388/Dx and ELD/Dx carcinoma cells with induced resistance to doxorubicin, P 388/Fp + Dx cells with induced resistance to combination of finoptOFF++ and doxorubicin in vivo. It was shown that the level of resistance was 6 fold for P 388/Dx cells, 4.5 fold for ELD/Dx cells and 2 fold for P 388/Fp + Dx cells. It was shown that the P 388/Dx cells and P 388/Fr + Dx cells had a 3.5 and 4.4 fold increase level of glutathione-S-transferase activity than P 388 cells. No increase in the activity of glutathione-S-transferase was detected in ELD/Dx cells. We conclude that increase of cellular glutathione-S-transferase activity is not associated with the development of resistance to doxorubicin.     

The effect of finoptin on the accumulation of doxorubicin in leukemia P388 cells with induced resistance to the antibiotic

Using male mice BDF1, it has been shown that the retention period of doxorubicin (DOX) is shorter in the leukemia P 388 cells with induced antibiotic resistance (P 388/DOX) as compared to the P 388 cells, sensitive to DOX. Administration of finoptin (FP) to animals leads to the increase of DOX concentration in the leukemia P 388/DOX cells during 240 min observation. FP promotes the therapeutic effect of DOX on mice bearing leukemia P 388/DOX. It can be suggested that the mechanism of FP action is the damaged DOX elimination from cells with induced resistance, since FP doesn't change the period of antibiotic circulation in the murine blood plasma.     

Effect of Triton X-100 on accumulation and therapeutic effect of doxorubicin in mice with leukemia P-388 with induced resistance to cytostatic agents]

Using P 388 and P 388/Dx tumour-bearing mice BDF1 it has been studied effect Tritton X-100 on accumulation and therapeutic action of doxorubicin (Dx). It has been shown that LD50 of Tritton X-100 is 153.6 mg/kg and MTD is 80 mg/kg body weight of animals. It has been shown that Tritton X-100 in dose 40 mg/kg body weight increases initial level of Dx in P 388/Dx cells to 215% and doesn't change accumulation of Dx in P 388 cells. It has been shown that Tritton X-100 doesn't influence the therapeutic effect of Dx in P 388 and P 388/Dx tumour-bearing mice.     

Effects of cis-unsaturated fatty acids on doxorubicin sensitivity in P388/DOX resistant and P388 parental cell lines

It has been reported that several cis-unsaturated fatty acids (c-UFAs) could increase doxorubicin (DOX) accumulation in cancer cells and hence elevate its cytotoxicity. However, some researchers showed that c-UFA pretreatment did not affect its cytotoxicity in special cell lines. It is possible that the different results occurred due to different cellular characteristics. We hypothesized that c-UFA treatment might modulate the activities of some antioxidant enzymes to affect the resistance of cells to DOX. In the present study, we examined how c-UFA pretreatment affected DOX cytotoxicity on mouse leukemia cell line, P388, and its resistant subline, P388/DOX, which we found to have significantly higher glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity as well as P-glycoprotein (p-gp) overexpression. We chose two c-UFAs, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) (18:3n-6) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (22:6n-3). Cytotoxicity was measured by MTT (3-(4.5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and trypan blue exclusion assays. DOX accumulation and p-gp expression were measured by flow cytometry. The activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and GPx were determined for both cell lines with and without treatment with GLA or DHA. Significant DOX accumulation occurred in both cell lines with GLA or DHA pretreatment, but without any change in p-gp expression in either cell line. Sensitivity to DOX cytotoxicity was improved by GLA or DHA pretreatment in P388/DOX in which only SOD activity was significantly increased, but not in the parental cell line P388 in which both SOD and CAT were significantly increased by the pretreatment. However, combined pretreatment of GLA or DHA with antioxidants, pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC) or Vitamin C, could sensitize not only P388/DOX but also P388 cells to DOX. We conclude that the effects of c-UFA pretreatment on the sensitivity of cancer cells to DOX not only depend on the change in drug accumulation but also the change in the levels of antioxidant enzyme activities, and suggest that combined administration of c-UFAs, antioxidants, and DOX may be more effective in treating leukemia.     

Comparative accumulation of the Hoechst 33258 fluorescent probe in leukemia P388 cells sensitive and resistant to doxorubicin

The authors studied accumulation of the fluorescent probe Hoechst 33258 in leukemia P 388 sensitive (P 388/0) and resistant to doxorubicin (P 388/DOX) cells. It was shown that intensity of fluorescence of the dye increased after binding with nuclear DNA during 25 min for both lines of the cells. Intensity of fluorescence was 40% greater in sensitive than resistant cells. If Triton X-100 was added no difference between two lines of the cell was observed. When doxorubicin was added to the cells with dye, the intensity of fluorescence decreased. It was suggested to use Hoechst 33258 for assessment extent doxorubicin accumulation in nuclei of the cells.     

The expression of P-glycoprotein in leukemia P388 cells with induced doxorubicin resistance]

beta-D-galactose-containing glycoproteins were prepared from cells P-388 leukemia and from P-388 leukemia cells with induced resistance to doxorubicin. It was shown by HPLC method that plasma membranes from resistant cells contain 4-4.5% P-glycoproteins and plasma membranes from sensitive cells contain P-glycoproteins about 10 times lower.     

Modulation of mitomycin C resistance by glutathione transferase inhibitor ethacrynic acid.

This study was undertaken to elucidate the mechanism(s) of cross-resistance (4.9-fold) to mitomycin C (MMC) in a multi-drug-resistant cell line, P388/R-84. Intracellular accumulation of MMC by sensitive (P388/S) and P388/R-84 cells was comparable. Despite a 32% reduction in NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase activity (responsible for MMC activation) in P388/R-84 cells, the rate of MMC bio-reduction by sensitive and resistant cells was similar. These results suggested that MMC resistance in P388/R-84 cell line must depend on factors other than impaired drug accumulation or bio-activation. Recent studies suggest that glutathione transferase (GST) dependent drug detoxification also contributes to cellular resistance of a variety of alkylating agents. Even though overexpression of GST has been noted in some MMC resistant tumor cells, it is not known if its level affects sensitivity to MMC. We have, therefore, determined the effect of ethacrynic acid (an inhibitor of GST activity) treatment on MMC cytotoxicity in P388/R-84 cells, which have about 2-fold higher GST activity than P388/S cells. The IC50 value for the inhibition of GST activity in vitro by ethacrynic acid (EA) was 16.5 microM (5 micrograms/ml). A depletion in intracellular GSH was also observed by treating P388/R-84 cells with EA alone or in combination with MMC. A non-toxic concentration of EA (1 microgram/ml; 3.3 microM) increased MMC cytotoxicity by 36% in P388/R-84 cells. MMC cytotoxicity was increased 2-fold by EA treatment in glutathione (GSH)-depleted P388/R-84 cells. These results suggest that GST mediated drug inactivation may represent another important mechanism of MMC resistance.     

The effect of 3,4-disuccinyldianhydrogalactitol, N-nitrosourea and their combination on DNA synthesis in normal and mouse P388 tumor cells

The rates of incorporation of 2-14C-thymidine into DNA of leukemia P388, bone marrow, gastrointestinal mucosa and spleen cells at various time after administration of 3,4-disuccinyldianhydrogalactitol (DisuDAG), 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea (MNU), 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea (HECNU) and their combinations at different doses to mice with leukemia P388 (solid form) were studied. DisuDAG (80 mg/kg) induced the deep and the stable inhibition in DNA synthesis of leukemia P388, bone marrow and spleen cells. The combination of DisuDAG and HECNU at small doses induced the deep and the stable suppression of DNA synthesis in tumor cells, however DNA synthesis in normal dividing cells was shown to recover more rapidly than in leukemia P388 cells. Administration of the combination of DisuDAG with MNU to tumor-bearing mice induced more stable inhibition of DNA synthesis in tumor cells in comparison with MNU and DisuDAG. In vivo inhibition of DNA synthesis in leukemia P388 cells with DisuDAG and HECNU was not due to damage in pool of precursors (TCA soluble fraction).     

Differences in myristic acid synthesis and in metabolic rate for P388 cells resistant to doxorubicin

Lipids extracted from doxorubicin-resistant murine leukemia cells (P388/ADR) contained greater relative amounts of myristic and palmitoleic acids than lipids from sensitive cells (P388). This was seen in both the phospholipid and neutral lipid fractions under two nutritional conditions. Correspondingly in P388/ADR cells, myristic acid comprised a greater proportion of the products of the fatty acid synthetase system, and acyl-CoA 9-desaturase activity was transiently greater than in P388. Similar alterations in myristic acid synthesis were exhibited by DC3F/AD X, N417/VP-16, and P388/AZQ30U cells but not by CHRC5 or HL60/AR cells. This alterations was independent of alterations in the P180 glycoprotein and might be linked via the myristoylation of proteins to a different mechanism of drug resistance. Doxorubicin-resistant P388/ADR cells also exhibited a much higher rate of oxidative energy production.     

Potentiation of harringtonine cytotoxicity by calcium antagonist diltiazem and biscoclaurine alkaloid cepharanthine in adriamycin-resistant P388 murine leukemia and K562 human leukemia cells

Harringtonine showed cross resistance in adriamycin-resistant murine leukemia P388 (P388/ADM) and human leukemia K562 (K562/ADM) cells. The relative resistance of the P388/ADM and K562/ADM cells to harringtonine was about 7 and 40, respectively. Calcium influx blockers, diltiazem and the biscoclaurine alkaloid cepharanthine enhanced the cytotoxicity of harringtonine in P388/ADM and K562/ADM cells. The extent of enhancement was different for the two drugs, and up to a 9- to 10-fold increase in harringtonine cytotoxicity occurred in P388/ADM cells, and 14- to 22-fold enhancement in K562/ADM cells with diltiazem or cepharanthine. Harringtonine resistance of P388/ADM was circumvented completely, and the resistance of K562/ADM was circumvented partially, by diltiazem or cepharanthine. The mechanism of enhanced cytotoxicity by diltiazem and cepharanthine is probably inhibition of active efflux of harringtonine in P388/ADM and K562/ADM cells.     

Calmodulin inhibitor trifluoperazine selectively enhances cytotoxic effects of strong vs weak DNA binding antitumor drugs in doxorubicin-resistant P388 mouse leukemia cells

Doxorubicin-resistant P388 mouse leukemia cells are cross-resistant to anthracycline and non-anthracycline DNA intercalators as well as to natural and semisynthetic anthracyclines which bind weakly or not at all to DNA. In the presence of a non-lethal concentration of 5 microM trifluoperazine cytotoxic effects of the strong DNA binding drugs actinomycin-D, mitoxantrone and m-AMSA were enhanced less than 2 fold in doxorubicin-sensitive cells and up to 50 fold in doxorubicin-resistant cells. Additionally, trifluoperazine induced a greater than 2-fold enhancement in the cytotoxic effects (but not accumulation and retention) of the strong DNA binder N,N-dimethyladriamycin-14-valerate only in doxorubicin resistant cells. In contrast, cell kill, drug accumulation and retention in P388/S and P388/DOX cells treated with the weak DNA binders N-benzyl-adriamycin-14-valerate and 7(R)-O-methylnogarol, and DNA-nonbinding N,N-dibenzyldaunorubicin was similar with or without trifluoperazine treatment. The study demonstrates that the calmodulin inhibitor trifluoperazine induces a specific and marked enhancement in the cytotoxic effects of strong vs weak DNA binding antitumor drugs in doxorubicin-resistant cells.     

Novel Bioactivities from a Coral, Galaxea fascicularis: DNase-like Activity and Apoptotic Activity Against a Multiple-Drug-Resistant Leukemia Cell Line

From the coral Galaxea fascicularis, a crude mucus-like extract (MS) and subsequently its purified component (P6) appear to contain a DNase-like activity that indiscriminately digested λDNA, as well as naked genomic DNAs isolated from a multiple-drug-resistant murine leukemia cell line, P388/VCR, and a nontransformed liver cell line, BL8L. However, MS and P6 specifically induced in situ DNA digestion in cultured P388/VCR cells from 30 minutes onward. After 3 days of incubation with MS or P6, DNA degradation coincided with complete killing of P388/VCR. In situ fluorescent labeling of fragmented DNA revealed that P6 induced apoptosis of P388/VCR cells, occurring as early at 1.5 hours. By day 3, all the P6-treated leukemia cells were apoptotic. In contrast, P6 caused neither in situ DNA digestion, nor apoptosis in the untransformed BL8L cells. Whether the DNase-like action of P6 is independent of or responsible for triggering the intrinsic endonuclease activity in the leukemia cell, thus leading to apoptosis, remains an object for further research. Nevertheless, the specificity of the apoptotic action of P6 on P388/VCR cells indicates its potential role in the development of an anticancer agent. Received July 6, 1998; accepted December 21, 1998     

Lysosomal accumulation of drugs in drug-sensitive MES-SA but not multidrug-resistant MES-SA/Dx5 uterine sarcoma cells

Sequestration of drugs in intracellular vesicles has been associated with multidrug-resistance (MDR), but it is not clear why vesicular drug accumulation, which depends upon intracellular pH gradients, should be associated with MDR. Using a human uterine sarcoma cell line (MES-SA) and a doxorubicin (DOX)-resistant variant cell line (Dx-5), which expresses p-glycoprotein (PGP), we have addressed the relationship between multidrug resistance, vesicular acidification, and vesicular drug accumulation. Consistent with a pH-dependent mechanism of vesicular drug accumulation, studies of living cells vitally labeled with multiple probes indicate that DOX and daunorubicin (DNR) predominately accumulate in lysosomes, whose lumenal pH was measured at < 4.5, but are not detected in endosomes, whose pH was measured at 5.9. However, vesicular DOX accumulation is more pronounced in the drug-sensitive MES-SA cells and minimal in Dx5 cells even when cellular levels of DOX are increased by verapamil treatment. While lysosomal accumulation of DOX correlated well with pharmacologically induced differences in lysosome pH in MES-SA cells, lysosomal accumulation was minimal in Dx5 cells regardless of lysosomal pH. We found no differences in the pH of either endosomes or lysosomes between MES-SA and Dx5 cells, suggesting that, in contrast to other MDR cell systems, the drug-resistant Dx5 cells are refractory to pH-dependent vesicular drug accumulation. These studies demonstrate that altered endomembrane pH regulation is not a necessary consequence of cell transformation, and that vesicular sequestration of drugs is not a necessary characteristic of MDR.     

Proteomic analysis of proteins responsible for the development of doxorubicin resistance in human uterine cancer cells

Drug resistance is a common cause of failure in cancer chemotherapy treatments. In this study, we used a pair of uterine sarcoma cancer lines, MES-SA, and the doxorubicin-resistant MES-SA/Dx5 as a model system to examine resistance-dependent cellular responses and to identify potential therapeutic targets. We used two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS) to examine the global protein expression changes induced by doxorubicin treatment and doxorubicin resistance. A proteomic study revealed that doxorubicin-exposure altered the expression of 87 proteins in MES-SA cells, while no significant response occurred in similarly treated MES-SA/Dx5 cells, associating these proteins with drug specific resistance. By contrast, 37 proteins showed differential expression between MES-SA and MES-SA/Dx5, indicating baseline resistance. Further studies have used RNA interference, cell viability analysis, and analysis of apoptosis against asparagine synthetase (ASNS) and membrane-associated progesterone receptor component 1 (mPR) proteins, to monitor and evaluate their potency on the formation of doxorubicin resistance. The proteomic approach allowed us to identify numerous proteins, including ASNS and mPR, involved in various drug-resistance-forming mechanisms. Our results provide useful diagnostic markers and therapeutic candidates for the treatment of doxorubicin-resistant uterine cancer.     

Influence of 60-hertz magnetic fields on leukemia

Female DBA/2 mice at 8 weeks of age were implanted with P388 leukemia cells in groups of ten mice and exposed to a 60-Hz 1.4-μT, 200-μT, or 500-μT magnetic field 2-3 hours after the implant for 6 hours daily, 5 days/week until all the exposed P388-treated and nontreated mice died. Parallel exposed groups of non-P388-treated mice and P388-treated mice exposed at 0 μT were included for study. No statistically significant differences (P > .05) in survival, spleen weight, or body weight resulted between P388-treated or nontreated mice from exposure to the magnetic field. No effect on the incidence or progression of P388 leukemia was apparent.     

Effects of liposome-entrapped annamycin in human breast cancer cells: interference with cell cycle progression and induction of apoptosis

The effects of liposome-encapsulated annamycin (L-Ann) were investigated in two human breast cancer cell lines, MCF7 and MDA-MB-435. For comparative purposes, doxorubicin (Dx) was used throughout the study. A 4-hour treatment with L-Ann was significantly more active in MDA-MB-435 than in MCF7 cells (IC(50) values of 0.03 and 0.08 microg/ml, respectively), whereas Dx was equally active in the two cell lines (IC(50) 0.12 microg/ml). L-Ann induced an accumulation of cells in G2M phases which was dose-dependent in MDA-MB-435 but not in MCF7 cells. Dx also caused a dose-dependent increase of G2M cell fraction in MDA-MB-435 cells, whereas a G2M cell accumulation was observed only after treatment with the highest Dx concentration in MCF7 cells. G2M phase cell accumulations induced in MCF7 cells by L-Ann or Dx were accompanied by a decrease in cdc2 kinase activity and in cyclin B1 and cdc2 expression. Conversely, in MDA-MB-435 cells exposed to L-Ann or Dx, cdc2 kinase activity, cyclin B1 and cdc2 expression increased in parallel to the increase in the number of cells accumulated in the G2M phase. L-Ann and Dx induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-435 but not in MCF7 cells. In MDA-MB-435 cells exposed to L-Ann or Dx, no change was observed in the expression of bax, but there was a p53-independent increase in p21(waf1) expression. In MCF7 cells, treatment with L-Ann or Dx induced an increase in p53 expression with a consequent transactivation of p21(waf1) and bax. Our results indicate that L-Ann is more cytotoxic than Dx in breast cancer cells and is able to induce apoptosis through p53-independent mechanisms.     

Gene amplification in murine leukemia cells with multiple drug resistance acquired in vivo

The P388rm and P388rx cell lines resistant to antracycline antibiotics were obtained as a result of chemotherapy of mice bearing P388 leukemia, by means of increasing dosages of rubomycin and ruboxyl, respectively. These cell lines possessed cross-resistance to vinblastine, vincristine, colchicine, actinomycin D and some other drugs. Multidrug resistance (MDR) of P388rm and P388rx is due to decreased uptake of different cytotoxic compounds by the cells. Development of resistance to rubomycin and ruboxyl was accompanied by the appearance of additional chromosomal structures--long homogeneously staining regions (HSRs), double minute chromosomes and others usually containing amplified DNA sequences. Southern blot-hybridization with cloned DNA fragments amplified in Djungarian and Chinese hamster cell lines having MDR has revealed in P388rm and P388rx cells approximately 50-fold amplification of mdr and pC52 genes. Thus, in mouse leukemia cells which acquired MDR in vivo, as a result of chemotherapy, amplification is observed of the same genes that undergo amplification during selection of cell cultures for MDR in vitro.     

Medicarpin and millepurpan,two flavonoids isolated from Medicago sativa,induce apoptosis and overcome multidrug resistance in leukemia P388 cells

BackgroundHigh consumption of flavonoids has been associated with a decrease risk of cancer. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) leaves have been widely used in traditional medicine and is currently used as a dietary supplement because of their high nutrient content. We previously reported the cytotoxic activity of alfalfa leaf extracts against several sensitive and multidrug resistant tumor cell lines.Hypothesis/purposeWe aimed to determine whether medicarpin and millepurpan, two isoflavonoids isolated from alfalfa leaves, may have pro-apoptotic effects against drug-sensitive (P388) and multidrug resistant P388 leukemia cells (P388/DOX).Study design/methodsCells were incubated with medicarpin or millepurpan for the appropriate time. Cell viability was assessed by the MTT assay. DNA fragmentation was analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Cell cycle analysis was realized by flow cytometry technics. Caspases 3 and 9 activities were measured using Promega caspACE assay kits. Proteins and genes expression were visualized respectively by western-blot using specific antibodies and RT-PCR assay.ResultsP-glycoprotein-expressing P388/DOX cells did not show resistance to medicarpin (IC₅₀ ≈ 90 µM for P388 and P388/DOX cells) and millepurpan (IC₅₀ = 54 µM and 69 µM for P388 and P388/DOX cells, respectively). Treatment with medicarpin or millepurpan triggered apoptosis in sensitive as well as multidrug resistant P388 cells. These effects were mediated through the mitochondrial pathway by modifying the balance pro/anti-apoptotic proteins. While 3 µM doxorubicin alone could not induce cell death in P388/DOX cells, concomitant treatment with doxorubicin and subtoxic concentration of medicarpin or millepurpan restored the pro-apoptotic cascade. Each compound increased sensitivity of P388/DOX cells to doxorubicin whereas they had no effect in sensitive P388 cells. Vinblastine cytotoxicity was also enhanced in P388/DOX cells (IC₅₀ = 210 nM to 23 and 25 nM with medicarpin and millepurpan, respectively). This improved sensitivity was mediated by an increased uptake of doxorubicin in P388/DOX cells expressing P-gp. P-gp expression was not altered by exposure to medicarpin and millepurpan.ConclusionThese data indicate that medicarpin and millepurpan possess pro-apoptotic properties and potentiate the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy drugs in multidrug resistant P388 leukemia cells by modulating P-gp-mediated efflux of drugs. These flavonoids may be used as chemopreventive agents or as sensitizer to enhance cytotoxicity of chemotherapy drugs in multidrug resistant cancer cells.     

Early and late sarcoplasmic reticulum changes in doxorubicin cardiomyopathy. An ultrastructural investigation with the zinc iodide-osmium tetroxide (ZIO) technique

The sequence of myocardial changes in the mouse induced by doxorubicin (Dx) treatment (10 mg/kg i.v.) has been investigated by electron microscopy with the help of the zinc iodide-osmium tetroxide (ZIO) technique. Accumulation of ZIO-reactive material, possibly oxidized glutathione and other disulfides, in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (S.R.) is among the earliest (1 h after Dx injection), more prominent and persistent findings (up to 100 days). It may have a pathogenic relationship with a number of functional and morphologic changes occurring in myocardial cells, including impairment of calcium transport and contractility, S.R. dilation up to extensive vacuolization, as well as inhibition of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis leading to atrophy and disruption of sarcomeres. The latter finding, first appearing in a few cells 4 to 7 days after Dx and progressively increasing in severity and extension during the next 3 months, may represent a key factor in the evolution of chronic cardiomyopathy to cardiac insufficiency. In most cells, only a minority of mitochondria showed obvious ultrastructural lesions, which were first observed 24 h after treatment and disappeared by the end of the first month, when no more mitochondrial damage was found outside degenerating cells. The myocardium of mice receiving multiple Dx injections (4 mg/Kg, 10 times, or 9 mg/Kg, 5 times) showed the same changes observed in animals treated with a single dose, though they were more severe and extensive.     

Syntheses and spectroscopic studies of potential antitumor copper(II) complexes with 5-phenylazo-3-methoxy salicylidene thiosemicarbazone and N4 substituted thiosemicarbazones

Five new copper(II) complexes of 5-phenylazo-3-methoxy salicylidene thiosemicarbazone and N4 substituted thiosemicarbazones have been synthesized. They have been characterized by chemical analyses, magnetic, conductance data, and by ultraviolet (UV)--visible, infrared, and electron spin resonance spectra. The complexes have the general formula CuL2, where HL is the ligand. One representative complex has been screened in vitro and in vivo against P388 lymphocytic leukemia cells sensitive and resistant to adriamycin (P388/S and P388/R). It has shown promising growth inhibition activity. We are reporting here for the first time the antineoplastic activity of this complex against experimental tumor systems.