Disulfiram inhibits TNF-alpha-induced cell death

Chemical screening links disulfiram with cardiac protection after ischemic injury

Ischemia-reperfusion injury occurs after reperfusion treatment for patients suffering myocardial infarction, however the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood and effective pharmacological interventions are limited. Here, we report the identification and characterization of the FDA-approved drug disulfiram (DSF) as a cardioprotective compound. By applying high-throughput chemical screening, we found that DSF decreased H₂O₂-induced cardiomyocyte death by inhibiting Gasdermin D, but not ALDH1, in cardiomyocytes. Oral gavage of DSF decreased myocardial infarct size and improved heart function after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Therefore, this work reveals DSF as a potential therapeutic compound for the treatment of ischemic heart disease.

The repositioned drugs disulfiram/diethyldithiocarbamate combined to benznidazole: Searching for Chagas disease selective therapy, preventing toxicity and drug resistance

Chagas disease (CD) affects at least 6 million people in 21 South American countries besides several thousand in other nations all over the world. It is estimated that at least 14,000 people die every year of CD. Since vaccines are not available, chemotherapy remains of pivotal relevance. About 30% of the treated patients cannot complete the therapy because of severe adverse reactions. Thus, the search for novel drugs is required. Here we tested the benznidazole (BZ) combination with the repositioned drug disulfiram (DSF) and its derivative diethyldithiocarbamate (DETC) upon Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro and in vivo. DETC-BZ combination was synergistic diminishing epimastigote proliferation and enhancing selective indexes up to over 10-fold. DETC was effective upon amastigotes of the BZ- partially resistant Y and the BZ-resistant Colombiana strains. The combination reduced proliferation even using low concentrations (e.g., 2.5 µM). Scanning electron microscopy revealed membrane discontinuities and cell body volume reduction. Transmission electron microscopy revealed remarkable enlargement of endoplasmic reticulum cisternae besides, dilated mitochondria with decreased electron density and disorganized kinetoplast DNA. At advanced stages, the cytoplasm vacuolation apparently impaired compartmentation. The fluorescent probe H2-DCFDA indicates the increased production of reactive oxygen species associated with enhanced lipid peroxidation in parasites incubated with DETC. The biochemical measurement indicates the downmodulation of thiol expression. DETC inhibited superoxide dismutase activity on parasites was more pronounced than in infected mice. In order to approach the DETC effects on intracellular infection, peritoneal macrophages were infected with Colombiana trypomastigotes. DETC addition diminished parasite numbers and the DETC-BZ combination was effective, despite the low concentrations used. In the murine infection, the combination significantly enhanced animal survival, decreasing parasitemia over BZ. Histopathology revealed that low doses of BZ-treated animals presented myocardial amastigote, not observed in combination-treated animals. The picrosirius collagen staining showed reduced myocardial fibrosis. Aminotransferase de aspartate, Aminotransferase de alanine, Creatine kinase, and urea plasma levels demonstrated that the combination was non-toxic. As DSF and DETC can reduce the toxicity of other drugs and resistance phenotypes, such a combination may be safe and effective.

Honokiol is a potent scavenger of superoxide and peroxyl radicals

Honokiol, a compound extracted from Magnolia officinalis, has antitumor and antiangiogenic properties in several tumor models in vivo. Among the downstream pathways inhibited by honokiol is nuclear factor kappa beta (NFkappabeta). A prime physiologic stimulus of NFkappabeta is reactive oxygen species. The chemical structure of honokiol suggests that it may be an effective scavenger of reactive oxygen species. In this work, we have studied the reactions of honokiol with superoxide and peroxyl radicals in cell-free and cellular systems using electron spin resonance (ESR) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques. Honokiol efficiently scavenged superoxide radicals in xanthine oxidase and cytochrome P-450 cell-free systems with the rate constant 3.2x10(5)M(-1)s(-1), which is similar to reactivity of ascorbic acid but 20-times higher than reactivity of vitamin E analog trolox. Honokiol potently scavenged intracellular superoxide within melanoma cells. In addition, honokiol scavenged peroxyl radicals generated by 2,2'-azo-bis(2-amidinopropane hydrochloride) (AAPH). The rate constant of the reaction of honokiol with peroxyl radicals (1.4x10(6)M(-1)s(-1)) was calculated from the competition with spin trap 5-(ethoxycarbonyl)-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (EMPO), and was found close to reactivity of trolox (2.5x10(6)M(-1)s(-1)). Therefore, honokiol is an effective scavenger of both superoxide and peroxyl radicals, which may be important for physiological activity of honokiol.

Detection of in vivo DNA damage induced by ethanol in multiple organs of pregnant mice using the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay

Ethanol is principal ingredient of alcohol beverage, but considered as human carcinogen, and has neurotoxicity. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy often causes fetal alcohol syndrome. The DNA damage is one of the important factors in carcinogenicity or teratogenicity. To detect the DNA damage induced by ethanol, we used an in vivo alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay in pregnant mice organs and embryos. Pregnant ICR mice on Day 7 of gestation were treated with 2, 4 or 8 g/kg ethanol, and maternal organs/tissues and embryos were subjected to the Comet assay at 4, 8, 12 and 24 hr after ethanol treatment. Four and 8 g/kg ethanol induced DNA damage in brain, lung and embryos at 4 or 8 hr after the treatment. Two g/kg ethanol did not cause any DNA damage, and 8 g/kg ethanol only increased the duration of DNA damage without distinct increase in the degree of the damage. No significant DNA damage was observed in the liver. To detect the effect of acetaldehyde, disulfiram, acetaldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor, was administered before 4 g/kg ethanol treatment. No significant increase of DNA damage was observed in the disulfiram pre-treated group. These data indicate that ethanol induces DNA damage, which might be related to ethanol toxicity. Since pre-treatment of disulfiram did not increase DNA damage, DNA damage observed in this study might not be the effect of acetaldehyde.

The superoxide dismutase inhibitor diethyldithiocarbamate has antagonistic effects on apoptosis by triggering both cytochrome c release and caspase inhibition

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and etoposide both trigger a large and rapid production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HeLa cells. This occurs before translocations of the proapoptotic Bax and cytochrome c proteins, the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim), and apoptosis. We have used diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), a well-known inhibitor of Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase to study the role of ROS in this system. We report that DDC strongly inhibits caspase activation, loss of DeltaPsim, and cell death induced by TNF-alpha or etoposide. Surprisingly, DDC does not inhibit Bax and cytochrome c translocations. On the contrary, we have observed that DDC can trigger the translocations of these proteins by itself, without altering DeltaPsim. Here, we report that DDC has at least two antagonistic apoptosis regulation functions. First, DDC triggers ROS-dependent Bax and cytochrome c translocations, which are potentially proapoptotic, and second, DDC inhibits caspase activation and activity, loss of DeltaPsim, and cell death, in a ROS-independent manner. Our results suggest an interesting model in which ROS-dependent Bax and cytochrome c translocations can be studied without interference from later apoptotic events.

Disulfiram, an old drug with new potential therapeutic uses for human cancers and fungal infections

Disulfiram, a drug used to treat alcoholism, has recently been indicated to play a primary as well as an adjuvant role in the treatment of many cancers and in the reversal of fungal drug-resistance. This review discusses the molecular mechanism of action of disulfiram and its potential use in the treatment of human cancers and fungal infections.

Hydrogen peroxide mediates FK506-induced cytotoxicity in renal cells

BACKGROUND

The nephrotoxicity induced by immunosuppressant FK506 remains a serious clinical problem, and the underlying mechanism has not been completely understood. The present study was undertaken to determine the role of hydrogen peroxide in FK506-mediated cytotoxicity in a porcine renal proximal tubular cell line, LLC-PK1 cells, and human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells.

METHODS

Cytotoxicity was estimated by crystal violet and lactate dehydrogenase release assays. The activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by flow cytometry. FK506-induced cell death was examined in the presence of the hydrogen peroxide scavenger, catalase, or a scavenger of hydroxyl radicals, sodium benzoate. As a control, FK506-induced cell death was also measured in the presence of superoxide anion inhibitor, 4,5-dihydroxy-1,2-benzene disulfonic acid (Tiron), TEMPO, or overexpressed human manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). Catalase was also used in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced cell injury to determine whether the enzyme specifically protected cells against FK506-mediated cytotoxicity.

RESULTS

FK506 induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner and coincided with a dose-dependent increase in ROS activity. Abrogation of FK506-mediated ROS by catalase and N-acetylcysteine blunted FK506-induced cell death. Furthermore, overexpression of catalase, sodium benzoate, and deferoxamine inhibited the cytotoxic effect of FK506. In contrast, Tiron, TEMPO, or overexpression of human MnSOD failed to show cytoprotection. In fact, TEMPO or expression of MnSOD enhanced the effect of FK506. Catalase did not significantly affect TNF-alpha-induced cell injury.

CONCLUSION

Catalase is uniquely required in cellular protection against FK506 cytotoxicity, which suggests an important role for hydrogen peroxide in the cellular actions of FK506.

Caspase inhibitors as anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic agents

The striking efficacy of Z-VAD-fmk in the various animal models presented above may reflect its ability to inhibit multiple enzymes including caspases. In accord with this, more selective, reversible inhibitors usually show low efficacy in multifactorial models such as ischaemia, but may offer some protection against NMDA-induced excitotoxicity and hepatitis. Importantly, caspase inhibitors may exhibit significant activity in vivo even when they are applied post insult. As far as the CNS is concerned, the first systemically active inhibitors have emerged. Functional recovery could be achieved in some ischaemia models, but long-term protection by caspase inhibitors is still being questioned. Recent developments in drug design enabled the first caspase inhibitors to enter the clinic. Although initially directed towards peripheral indications such as rheumatoid arthritis, caspase inhibitors will no doubt eventually be used to target CNS disorders. For this purpose the peptidic character of current inhibitors will have to be further reduced. Small molecule, nonpeptidic caspase inhibitors, which have appeared recently, indicate that this goal can be accomplished. Unfortunately, many fundamental questions still remain to be addressed. In particular, the necessary spectrum of inhibitory activity required to achieve the desired effect needs to be determined. There is also a safety aspect associated with prolonged administration. Therefore, the next therapeutic areas for broader-range caspase inhibitors are likely to involve acute treatment. Recent results with synergistic effects between MK-801 and caspase inhibitors in ischaemia suggest that caspase inhibitors may need to be used in conjunction with other drugs. It can be expected that, in the near future, research on caspases and their inhibitors will remain a rapidly developing area of biology and medicinal chemistry. More time, however, may be needed for the first caspase inhibitors to appear on the market.

Glutathione dependence of caspase-8 activation at the death-inducing signaling complex

Apoptosis triggered by the death receptor CD95 (APO-1 or Fas) is pivotal for the homeostasis of the immune system. We investigated differential effects of glutathione depletion on CD95-triggered apoptosis in T and B cell lines as well as the glutathione dependence of caspase-8 activation. In B lymphoblastoid SKW6.4 cells, CD95-mediated apoptosis was prevented upstream of caspase-8 activation and caspase-3-like activity after acute glutathione depletion by diethyl maleate or cis-chloro-dinitrobenzene. Immunoprecipitation of the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) revealed that the DISC was still formed in the glutathione-depleted state. The first cleavage step of procaspase-8 activation at the DISC, however, was inhibited. Accordingly, under cell-free conditions, radiolabeled procaspase-8 was processed at the immunoprecipitated DISC only after the addition of exogenous dithiothreitol or reduced glutathione. We also observed suppression of CD95-mediated apoptosis in glutathione-depleted CEM and H9 cells. Notably, Jurkat cells still died upon CD95 engagement under this condition, displaying incomplete nuclear fragmentation and a partial switch to necrosis; this may be explained by reduced cytochrome c/dATP-mediated caspase activation observed in cytosol from glutathione-depleted Jurkat cytosol. Our data indicate that the activation of caspase-8 at the DISC and hence CD95-mediated apoptosis induction shows a cell-specific requirement for intracellular glutathione.