Effects of antioxidants on X-ray- or hyperthermia-induced apoptosis in human lymphoma U937 cells

Roles of intracellular and extracellular ROS formation in apoptosis induced by cold atmospheric helium plasma and X-irradiation in the presence of sulfasalazine

Sulfasalazine (SSZ) is a well-known anti-inflammatory drug and also an inhibitor of the cystine-glutamate antiporter that is known to reduce intracellular glutathione (GSH) level and increase cellular oxidative stress, indicating its anti-tumor potential. However, the combination of SSZ with other physical modalities remains unexplored. Here, the effects of SSZ on cold atmospheric helium plasma (He-CAP), which produces approximately 24 x higher concentration of hydroxyl radicals (. OH) compared to X-irradiation (IR) in aqueous solution, and on IR-induced apoptosis in human leukemia Molt-4 cells were studied to elucidate the mechanism of apoptosis enhancement. Both the Annexin V-FITC/PI and DNA fragmentation assay revealed that pre-treatment of cells with SSZ significantly enhanced He-CAP and IR-induced apoptosis. Similar enhancement was observed during the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular Ca²⁺ ions, and mitochondria- and endoplasmic reticulum-related proteins. The concentration of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was much higher in He-CAP treated cells than in X-irradiated cells. On the other hand, strong enhancement of Fas expression and caspase-8 and -3 activities were only observed in X-irradiated cells. It might be possible that the higher concentration of intracellular and extracellular ROS suppressed caspase activities and Fas expression in He-CAP-treated cells. Notably, pretreating the cells with an antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) dramatically decreased apoptosis in cells treated by He-CAP, but not by IR. These results suggest that IR-induced apoptosis is due to specific and effective ROS distribution since intracellular ROS formation is marginal and the high production of ROS inside and outside of cells plays unique roles in He-CAP induced apoptosis. We conclude that our data provides efficacy and mechanistic insights for SSZ, which might be helpful for establishing SSZ as a future sensitizer in He-CAP or IR therapy for cancer.

Mechanistic study of nonivamide enhancement of hyperthermia-induced apoptosis in U937 cells

Hyperthermia is one therapeutic tool for damaging and killing cancer cells, with minimal injury to normal tissues. However, its cytotoxic effects alone are insufficient for quantitative cancer cell death. To overcome this limitation, several studies have explored non-toxic enhancers for hyperthermia-induced cell death. Capsaicin may be applicable as a therapeutic tool against various types of cancer. In the present study, we employed nonivamide, a less-pungent capsaicin analogue, to investigate its possible enhancing effects on hyperthermia-induced apoptosis; moreover, we analyzed its molecular mechanism. Treatment of U937 cells at 44 °C for 15 min, combined with nonivamide 50 μM, revealed enhancement of apoptosis. Significant increases in reactive oxygen species generation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cleaved caspase-3 were observed during the combined treatment; these were accompanied by an increase in pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins and a decrease in anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. In addition, significant increases in p-JNK and p-p38 were detected, following the combined treatment. In conclusion, nonivamide enhanced hyperthermia-induced apoptosis via a mitochondrial-caspase dependent pathway. The underlying mechanism may include elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased activation of JNK and p38.

Heat dissipation does not suppress an immune response in laboratory mice divergently selected for basal metabolic rate (BMR)

The capacity for heat dissipation is considered to be one of the most important constraints on rates of energy expenditure in mammals. To date, the significance of this constraint has been tested exclusively under peak metabolic demands, such as during lactation. Here, we used a different set of metabolic stressors, which do not induce maximum energy expenditures and yet are likely to expose the potential constraining effect of heat dissipation. We compared the physiological responses of mice divergently selected for high (H-BMR) and low basal metabolic rate (L-BMR) to simultaneous exposure to the keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) antigen and high ambient temperature (Ta). At 34°C (and at 23°C, used as a control), KLH challenge resulted in a transient increase in core body temperature (Tb) in mice of both line types (by approximately 0.4°C). Warm exposure did not produce line-type-dependent differences in Tb (which was consistently higher by ca. 0.6°C in H-BMR mice across both Ta values), nor did it result in the suppression of antibody synthesis. These findings were also supported by the lack of between-line-type differences in the mass of the thymus, spleen or lymph nodes. Warm exposure induced the downsizing of heat-generating internal organs (small intestine, liver and kidneys) and an increase in intrascapular brown adipose tissue mass. However, these changes were similar in scope in both line types. Mounting a humoral immune response in selected mice was therefore not affected by ambient temperature. Thus, a combined metabolic challenge of high Ta and an immune response did not appreciably compromise the capacity to dissipate heat, even in the H-BMR mice.

Low-dose spiruchostatin-B, a potent histone deacetylase inhibitor enhances radiation-induced apoptosis in human lymphoma U937 cells via modulation of redox signaling

Spiruchostatin B (SP-B), is a potent histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, in addition to HDAC inhibition, the pharmacological effects of SP-B are also attributed to its ability to produce intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), particularly H2O2. In this study, we investigated the effects of low dose (non-toxic) SP-B on radiation-induced apoptosis in human lymphoma U937 cells in vitro. The treatment of cells with low-dose SP-B induced the acetylation of histones, however, does not induce apoptosis. Whereas, the combined treatment with SP-B and radiation significantly enhanced the radiation-induced apoptosis, suggesting the potential role of this combined treatment for future radiation therapy. Interestingly, the enhancement of apoptosis was accompanied by significant increased in the ROS generation. Pre-treatment with an antioxidant, N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) significantly inhibited the enhancement of apoptosis induced by combined treatment, indicating that ROS play an essential role. It was also found that SP-B combined with radiation caused the activation of death receptor and intrinsic apoptotic pathways, via modulation of ROS-mediated signaling. Moreover, SP-B also significantly enhanced the radiation-induced apoptosis in other lymphoma cell lines such as Molt-4 and HL-60. Taken together, our findings suggest that the low-dose SP-B enhances radiation-induced apoptosis via modulation of redox signaling because of its ability to serve as an intracellular ROS generating agent, mainly (H2O2 or [Formula: see text]). This study provides further insights into the mechanism of action of SP-B with radiation and demonstrates that SP-B can be used as a future novel sensitizer for radiation therapy.

Effects of SOD/catalase mimetic platinum nanoparticles on radiation-induced apoptosis in human lymphoma U937 cells

Since polyacrylic acid capped platinum nano-particles (nano-Pts) are known to have a unique ability to quench superoxide (O2(-)) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the anti-oxidant activity of nano-Pts against apoptosis induced by x-irradiation in human lymphoma U937 cells was investigated. DNA fragmentation assay, Annexin V-FITC/PI by flow cytometry and Giemsa staining revealed a significant decrease in apoptosis induced by 10 Gy, when cells were pre-treated with nano-Pts in a dose-dependent manner. Pre-treatment with nano-Pts significantly decreased radiation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, Fas expression and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential as determined by flow-cytometry. Furthermore, western blot analysis also showed that the expression of cleaved caspase-3, Bid and cytosolic cytochrome-c were significantly reduced in nano-Pts pretreated cells. Due to the catalase mimetic activity of nano-Pts, these results indicate that pre-treatment of U937 cells with nano-Pts significantly protect radiation-induced apoptosis by inhibiting intracellular ROS (mainly H2O2), which plays a key role in the induction of apoptosis, because of no practical observation of intracellular O2(-) formation.

Scavenging of reactive oxygen species induced by hyperthermia in biological fluid

The scavenging activity of rat plasma against hyperthermia-induced reactive oxygen species was tested. The glutathione-dependent reduction of a nitroxyl radical, 4-hydroxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl, which was restricted by adding superoxide dismutase or by deoxygenating the reaction mixture, was applied to an index of superoxide (O₂^•−) generation. A reaction mixture containing 0.1 mM 4-hydroxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl and 1 mM glutathione was prepared using 100 mM phosphate buffer containing 0.05 mM diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid. The reaction mixture was kept in a screw-top vial and incubated in a water bath at 37 or 44°C. The time course of the electron paramagnetic resonance signal of 4-hydroxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl in the reaction mixture was measured by an X-band EPR spectrometer (JEOL, Tokyo, Japan). When the same experiment was performed using rat plasma instead of 100 mM PB, the glutathione-dependent reduction of 4-hydroxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl, i.e., generation of O₂^•−, was not obtained. Only the first-order decay reduction of 4-hydroxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl, which indicates direct reduction of 4-hydroxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl, was obtained in rat plasma. Adding 0.5% albumin to the phosphate buffer reaction mixture could almost completely inhibit O₂^•− generation at 37°C. However, addition of 0.5% albumin could not inhibit O₂^•− generation at 44°C, i.e., hyperthermic temperature. Ascorbic acid also showed inhibition of O₂^•− generation by 0.01 mM at 37°C, but 0.02 mM or more could inhibit O₂^•− generation at 44°C. A higher concentration of ascorbic acid showed first-order reduction, i.e., direct one-electron reduction, of 4-hydroxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl. Hyperthermia-induced O₂^•− generation in rat plasma can be mostly inhibited by albumin and ascorbic acid in the plasma.

Temperature-dependent free radical reaction in water

Temperature-dependent free radical reactions were investigated using nitroxyl radicals as redox probes. Reactions of two types of nitroxyl radicals, TEMPOL (4-hydroxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl) and carbamoyl-PROXYL (3-carbamoyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidine-N-oxyl), were tested in this paper. Heating a solution containing a nitroxyl radical and a reduced form of glutathione (GSH) caused temperature-dependent decay of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal of the nitroxyl radical. Heating a solution of the corresponding hydroxylamine form of the nitroxyl radical showed EPR signal recovery. The GSH-dependent reduction of nitroxyl radicals at 70°C was suppressed by antioxidants, spin trapping agents, and/or bubbling N₂ gas, although heating carbamoyl-PROXYL with GSH showed temporarily enhanced signal decay by bubbling N₂ gas. Since SOD could restrict the GSH-dependent EPR signal decay of TEMPOL, O₂^•− is related with this reaction. O₂^•− was probably generated from dissolved oxygen in the reaction mixture. Oxidation of the hydroxylamines at 70°C was also suppressed by bubbling N₂ gas. Heating a solution of spin trapping agent, DMPO (5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide) showed a temperature-dependent increase of the EPR signal of the hydroxyl radical adduct of DMPO. Synthesis of hydroxyl radical adduct of DMPO at 70°C was suppressed by antioxidants and/or bubbling N₂ gas. The results suggested that heating an aqueous solution containing oxygen can generate O₂^•−.

SOD/catalase mimetic platinum nanoparticles inhibit heat-induced apoptosis in human lymphoma U937 and HH cells

Platinum nanoparticles (Pt-NPs) are known to possess anti-tumouric activity and the ability to scavenge superoxides and peroxides indicating that they can act as superoxide dismutase (SOD)/catalase mimetics. These potentials seem useful in the protection and/or amelioration of oxidative stress-associated pathologies, but, when they are combined with a therapeutic modality that depends upon the mediation of reactive oxygen species in cell killing induction, the effect of Pt-NPs might be questionable. Here, the effects of polyacrylic acid-capped Pt-NPs (nano-Pts) on hyperthermia (HT)-induced apoptosis and the underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated in human myelomonocytic lymphoma U937 and human cutaneous T-cell lymphoma HH cells. The results showed that the pre-treatment with nano-Pts significantly inhibited HT-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Superoxide, but not peroxides, was suppressed to varying extents. All pathways involved in apoptosis execution were also negatively affected. The results reveal that the combination of nano-Pts and HT could result in HT-desensitization.

Maximal heat dissipation capacity and hyperthermia risk: neglected key factors in the ecology of endotherms

1. The role of energy in ecological processes has hitherto been considered primarily from the standpoint that energy supply is limited. That is, traditional resource-based ecological and evolutionary theories and the recent 'metabolic theory of ecology' (MTE) all assume that energetic constraints operate on the supply side of the energy balance equation. 2. For endothermic animals, we provide evidence suggesting that an upper boundary on total energy expenditure is imposed by the maximal capacity to dissipate body heat and therefore avoid the detrimental consequences of hyperthermia--the heat dissipation limit (HDL) theory. We contend that the HDL is a major constraint operating on the expenditure side of the energy balance equation, and that processes that generate heat compete and trade-off within a total boundary defined by heat dissipation capacity, rather than competing for limited energy supply. 3. The HDL theory predicts that daily energy expenditure should scale in relation to body mass (M(b)) with an exponent of about 0.63. This contrasts the prediction of the MTE of an exponent of 0.75. 4. We compiled empirical data on field metabolic rate (FMR) measured by the doubly-labelled water method, and found that they scale to M(b) with exponents of 0.647 in mammals and 0.658 in birds, not significantly different from the HDL prediction (P > 0.05) but lower than predicted by the MTE (P < 0.001). The same statistical result was obtained using phylogenetically independent contrasts analysis. Quantitative predictions of the model matched the empirical data for both mammals and birds. There was no indication of curvature in the relationship between Log(e) FMR and Log(e)M(b). 5. Together, these data provide strong support for the HDL theory and allow us to reject the MTE, at least when applied to endothermic animals. 6. The HDL theory provides a novel conceptual framework that demands a reframing of our views of the interplay between energy and the environment in endothermic animals, and provides many new interpretations of ecological and evolutionary phenomena.

Rituximab sensitizes a Burkitt lymphoma cell line to cell killing by X-irradiation

Clinical trials with rituximab in combination with chemotherapeutic regimens have shown promising results. Data on the effects of rituximab treatment in combination with irradiation are, however, limited and inconsistent. This study aims to investigate the effects of rituximab (R) on cell death induced by X-irradiation in Raji lymphoma cells and to evaluate its mechanisms. We found the cell growth inhibition by irradiation was enhanced by additional rituximab exposure both in cells precultured with rituximab followed by irradiation (R + irradiation) or in cells treated in the reverse sequence (irradiation + R). R + irradiation combination treatment induced more apoptotic cells than irradiation and irradiation + R treatment as early as 12 h after treatment. At 24 h, both combination treatments, R + irradiation and irradiation + R, showed apoptotic cells, which were significantly different from irradiation alone. G2/M cell cycle arrest was observed after irradiation alone and the combination treatment. The combination treatment revealed an elevation in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in a radiation dose-dependent manner. In addition, rituximab enhanced the cell growth inhibition and apoptotic cell death induced by the oxidative agent, H(2)O(2). We propose that rituximab mediates a significant in vitro radiosensitizing effect and induces cell cycle changes and apoptosis in Raji cells. ROS probably play an important role in these events.

Studies on best dose of X-ray for Hep-2 cells by using FTIR, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and flow cytometry

We report here the use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectroscopy, and flow cytometry (FCM) to analysis the best dose of X-ray for human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (Hep-2). Our analysis indicates specific FTIR and UV-vis spectral differences between X-irradiated and normal Hep-2 cells. In addition, striking spectral differences are seen in FTIR spectra in the ratios at 2925/2958 and 1654/1542 cm(-1). These two ratios of the X-irradiated cells for 8 Gy dose group with value of 1.07+/-0.025 and 1.184+/-0.013, respectively, were more notable (mean+/-S.D., n=5, P<0.05) compared with that of the cells for the controls. UV-vis absorption spectra analysis shows X-ray irradiation disturbed the metabolism of phenylalanine and tyrosine intracellular, maybe, which was caused by cell cycle arrest. Spectroscopy analysis suggests 8 Gy is a better dose of X-ray for lowering the canceration degree of Hep-2 cells. Moreover, FCM analysis shows the apoptosis of X-irradiated cells depended on the radiation dose to some extent, but it was not linear. The total apoptosis ratio with value of (20.793+/-1.133)% (P<0.01, n=5) for the 12 Gy dose group was the maximum, however, the maximum apoptosis ratio per Gray (total apoptosis ratio/radiation dose) was the cells of the 2 Gy dose group with value of (4.887+/-0.211)% (P<0.05, n=5). Our data suggest that Hep-2 cells are given 2 Gy radiation of X-ray once a time, 8 Gy per week (accumulatively), the effect for lowering the canceration degree and restraining the proliferation of Hep-2 cells will be better.

Edaravone, a free radical scavenger, protects against retinal damage in vitro and in vivo

Edaravone (3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one), a free radical scavenger, is used for the treatment of acute cerebral infarction. In this study, we investigated whether edaravone is neuroprotective against retinal damage. In vitro, we used a radical-scavenging capacity assay using reactive oxygen species-sensitive probes to investigate the effects of edaravone on H(2)O(2), superoxide anion (O(2)*), and hydroxyl radical (*OH) production in a rat retinal ganglion cell line (RGC-5). The effect of edaravone on oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced RGC-5 damage was evaluated using a 2-(2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, monosodium salt assay of cell viability. Edaravone (3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one) significantly decreased radical generation and reduced the cell death induced by OGD stress. In vivo, retinal damage was induced by intravitreous injection of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA; 5 nmol) and was evaluated by examining ganglion cell layer cell loss, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining, and the expressions of two oxidant-stress markers [4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)]. In addition, activations of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) [extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK), c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinases (JNK), and p38 MAPK], as downstream signal pathways after NMDA receptor activation, were measured using immunoblotting and immunostaining. Edaravone at 5 and 50 nmol intravitreous injection or at 1 and 3 mg/kg i.v. significantly protected against NMDA-induced retinal cell death. At 50 nmol intravitreous injection, it 1) decreased the retinal expressions of TUNEL-positive cells, 4-HNE, and 8-OHdG and 2) reduced the retinal expressions of NMDA-induced phosphorylated JNK and phosphorylated p38 but not that of phosphorylated ERK. These findings suggest that oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in retinal damage and that edaravone may be a candidate for the effective treatment of retinal diseases.

Free radical scavenger edaravone suppresses x-ray-induced apoptosis through p53 inhibition in MOLT-4 cells

Edaravone, a clinical drug used widely for the treatment of acute cerebral infarction, is reported to scavenge free radicals. In the present study, we investigated the radioprotective effect of edaravone on X-ray-induced apoptosis in MOLT-4 cells. Apoptosis was determined by the dye exclusion test, Annexin V binding assay, cleavage of caspase, and DNA fragmentation. We found that edaravone significantly suppressed the X-ray-induced apoptosis. The amount of intracellular ROS production was determined by the chloromethyl-2',7'-dichlorodihydro-fluorescein diacetate system. We found that the intracellular ROS production by X-irradiation was completely suppressed by the addition of edaravone. The accumulation and phosphorylation of p53 and the expression of p21(WAF1), a target protein of p53, which were induced by X-irradiation, were also suppressed by adding edaravone. We conclude that the free radical scavenger edaravone suppresses X-ray-induced apoptosis in MOLT-4 cells by inhibiting p53.

Cellular and molecular mechanism and application of hyperthermia for tumor therapy

Hyperthermia is effective in the treatment of neoplasm, but its mechanism remains unclear for a long time. In recent years, great advances were achieved on its mechanism. In vitro and in vivo studies show that heat-induced apoptosis plays a dominant role in mild and moderate hyperthermia while necrosis in serious one. Heat induces apoptosis through mitochondria or/and death receptor pathways, and oxidative stress, intracellular Ca²⁺ increase and some molecules such as p53 and Bax play important roles in this process. Based on this mechanism, new therapies have been investigated and developed, including hyperthermia combined with gene therapy, calcium- and oxidative stress-targeted therapy, or decreasing extracellular pH value, which may remarkably enhance the effect of hyperthermia.

An echo-contrast agent, Levovist, lowers the ultrasound intensity required to induce apoptosis of human leukemia cells

To verify the effect of echo-contrast agent (ECA) on apoptosis induced by ultrasound, leukemia cell lines (Jurkat, Molt-4 and U937) were sonicated at intensities previously shown to induce optimal apoptosis with or without Levovist, an ECA. The results showed that loss of viability and apoptosis can be induced in all three cell lines, apoptosis highest with Molt-4, based on viability and DNA fragmentation assay. Such finding was supported by corresponding increase of cells with low mitochondrial membrane potential, high superoxide production, increased intracellular calcium concentration, and phosphorylation of histone H2AX after sonication. Optimal ultrasound condition was 0.3W/cm(2), 1MHz, 10% duty factor pulsed at 100Hz; but in the presence of Levovist, an apparent shift of cell killing induction was observed at 0.2W/cm(2). While these results further confirmed previous findings on ultrasound-induced apoptosis, they also suggest that use of an enhancing factor, such as addition of ECA, may be useful in cancer therapy when a much lower intensity is desired.

How to Clean the Dirtiest Place in the Cell: Cationic Antioxidants as Intramitochondrial ROS Scavengers

Membrane-penetrating triphenyl alkyl phosphonium cations have been suggested for many years in our group as having the ability to measure mitochondrial potential were recently used by Murphy as vehicles to specifically target CoQ to mitochondria. As was shown in our group, the phosphonium derivative of CoQ (MitoQ) easily penetrates a planar bilayer phospholipid membrane as a cation, generating 60 mV electric potential (Deltapsi) per a 10-fold MitoQ gradient. This means that MitoQ should be unequally distributed across the inner mitochondrial membrane, the intramitochondrial [MitoQ] = extramitochondrial [MitoQ] x 10(3) at 180 mV Deltapsi. In line with such a calculation, Murphy and his colleagues reported that antioxidant efficiency of MitoQ added to mitochondria or cells appears to be very much higher than of CoQ. It was found that H2O2-induced apoptosis (Murphy) and the H2O2-mediated bystander killing of the cultivated cells (our group) are completely arrested by pretreatement of the cells with 10(-10) - 10(-8) M MitoQ. These effects indicate that MitoQ and similar compounds may be promising in treatment of heart attack, stroke and other diseases accompanied by massive apoptosis in the injured tissue. The very fact that: (i) MitoQ is not only accumulated by mitochondria but also can be regenerated in its reduced form by mitochondrial respiratory chain, (ii) it is the mitochondrial interior that produces a large portion of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in our body, and (iii) the most sensitive ROS targets are localized in the mitochondrial matrix suggest the MitoQ-like compounds are promising tools of molecular therapy of aerobic cells. In line with this suggestion, we found that addition of MitoQ strongly improves structural and biochemical parameters of cultivated cells. As to cationic tetrapeptides, recently advertised as mitochondrially-targeted Deltapsi-independent antioxidants, their effect is most probably mediated by an opioid activity inherent in some of these substances.