Browsing by Author "Markovic, Ivanka D. (7004033826)"

Melanoma, an aggressive skin tumor with high metastatic potential, is associated with high mortality and increasing morbidity. Multiple available chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic modalities failed to improve survival in advanced disease, and the search for new agents is ongoing. The aim of this study was to investigate antimelanoma effects of O,O-diethyl-(S,S)-ethylenediamine-N,N′di-2-(3-cyclohexyl) propanoate dihydrochloride (EE), a previously synthesized and characterized organic compound. Mouse melanoma B16 cell viability was assessed using acid phosphatase, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, sulforhodamine B, and lactate dehydrogenase assays. Apoptosis and autophagy were investigated using flow cytometry, fluorescence and electron microscopy, and western blotting. In vivo antitumor potential was assessed in subcutaneous mouse melanoma model after 14 days of treatment with EE. Tumor mass and volume were measured, and RT-PCR was used for investigating the expression of autophagy-related, proapoptotic, and antiapoptotic molecules in tumor tissue. Investigated organic compound exerts significant cytotoxic effect against B16 cells. EE induced apoptosis, as confirmed by phosphatidyl serine externalisation, caspase activation, and ultrastructural features typical for apoptosis seen on fluorescence and electron microscopes. The apoptotic mechanism included prompt disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential and oxidative stress. No autophagy was observed. Antimelanoma action and apoptosis induction were confirmed in vivo, as EE decreased mass and volume of tumors, and increased expression of several proapoptotic genes. EE possesses significant antimelanoma action and causes caspasedependent apoptosis mediated by mitochondrial damage and reactive oxygen species production. Decrease in tumor growth and increase in expression of proapoptotic genes in tumor tissue suggest that EE warrants further investigation as a candidate agent in treating melanoma. © Copyright 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Melanoma, an aggressive skin tumor with high metastatic potential, is associated with high mortality and increasing morbidity. Multiple available chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic modalities failed to improve survival in advanced disease, and the search for new agents is ongoing. The aim of this study was to investigate antimelanoma effects of O,O-diethyl-(S,S)-ethylenediamine-N,N′di-2-(3-cyclohexyl) propanoate dihydrochloride (EE), a previously synthesized and characterized organic compound. Mouse melanoma B16 cell viability was assessed using acid phosphatase, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, sulforhodamine B, and lactate dehydrogenase assays. Apoptosis and autophagy were investigated using flow cytometry, fluorescence and electron microscopy, and western blotting. In vivo antitumor potential was assessed in subcutaneous mouse melanoma model after 14 days of treatment with EE. Tumor mass and volume were measured, and RT-PCR was used for investigating the expression of autophagy-related, proapoptotic, and antiapoptotic molecules in tumor tissue. Investigated organic compound exerts significant cytotoxic effect against B16 cells. EE induced apoptosis, as confirmed by phosphatidyl serine externalisation, caspase activation, and ultrastructural features typical for apoptosis seen on fluorescence and electron microscopes. The apoptotic mechanism included prompt disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential and oxidative stress. No autophagy was observed. Antimelanoma action and apoptosis induction were confirmed in vivo, as EE decreased mass and volume of tumors, and increased expression of several proapoptotic genes. EE possesses significant antimelanoma action and causes caspasedependent apoptosis mediated by mitochondrial damage and reactive oxygen species production. Decrease in tumor growth and increase in expression of proapoptotic genes in tumor tissue suggest that EE warrants further investigation as a candidate agent in treating melanoma. © Copyright 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Tiazofurin is a nucleoside analog with potent antitumor activity. The objective of this study was to define the kinetic parameters of tiazofurin transport from blood into the guinea pig brain. The second aim was to define kinetic parameters of tiazofurin transport inhibition by adenosine (K(i) and K(d)a), as well as whether tiazofurin blood-to-brain transport was performed in countertransport with Na+. In order to determine these parameters, the in situ method of perfusion of guinea pig brain was used. Addition of increasing concentrations of unlabelled tiazofurin to perfusing medium (0.05-2.7 mmol/l) caused progressive decrease of [3H]-tiazofurin brain clearance with K(m) values ranging from 119.57 ± 40.12 to 150.17 ± 51.68 x 10-6 mol/l. Maximal transport capacity ranged from 325.03 ± 113.93 to 417.50 ± 151.53 pmol/min/g. Introduction of adenosine into the perfusing medium (0.005-0.2 mmol/l) caused similar but more rapid decrease of [3H]-tiazofurin brain clearance (K(i) = 6.36 ± 3.14 x 10-6 mol/l for nucleus caudate and 11.74 ± 4.85 x 10-6 mol/l for cerebral cortex). Therefore, it seems that transport system for adenosine plays the main role in tiazofurin brain uptake, but another transport mechanism is also involved in this process. Depletion of perfusing medium from sodium ions did not cause significant change in volume of distribution values for [3H]-tiazofurin in guinea pig cerebral cortex.

Tiazofurin is a nucleoside analog with potent antitumor activity. The objective of this study was to define the kinetic parameters of tiazofurin transport from blood into the guinea pig brain. The second aim was to define kinetic parameters of tiazofurin transport inhibition by adenosine (K(i) and K(d)a), as well as whether tiazofurin blood-to-brain transport was performed in countertransport with Na+. In order to determine these parameters, the in situ method of perfusion of guinea pig brain was used. Addition of increasing concentrations of unlabelled tiazofurin to perfusing medium (0.05-2.7 mmol/l) caused progressive decrease of [3H]-tiazofurin brain clearance with K(m) values ranging from 119.57 ± 40.12 to 150.17 ± 51.68 x 10-6 mol/l. Maximal transport capacity ranged from 325.03 ± 113.93 to 417.50 ± 151.53 pmol/min/g. Introduction of adenosine into the perfusing medium (0.005-0.2 mmol/l) caused similar but more rapid decrease of [3H]-tiazofurin brain clearance (K(i) = 6.36 ± 3.14 x 10-6 mol/l for nucleus caudate and 11.74 ± 4.85 x 10-6 mol/l for cerebral cortex). Therefore, it seems that transport system for adenosine plays the main role in tiazofurin brain uptake, but another transport mechanism is also involved in this process. Depletion of perfusing medium from sodium ions did not cause significant change in volume of distribution values for [3H]-tiazofurin in guinea pig cerebral cortex.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is the main obstacle to a successful chemotherapy of lung cancer. We tested the potential of sulfinosine and curcumin, alone and in combination, for modulating MDR in the human resistant, non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line (NCI-H460/R). First, we determined the mutational status of the p53 gene in NCI-H460/R cells by PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing and identified mutations which could at least partially contribute to the development of the MDR phenotype. The effects of sulfinosine and curcumin were studied, both separately and in combination, at the level of cytotoxicity, cell cycle distribution and gene expression. Sulfinosine displayed dose-dependent growth inhibition in both resistant and control sensitive cell lines, whereas curcumin considerably inhibited their growth only at relatively high doses. When sulfinosine was combined with a low dose of curcumin the drugs exerted a synergistic cytotoxic effect in NCI-H460/R cells. The expression of MDR-related genes mdr1, gst-π and topo IIα, was altered by sulfinosine and curcumin. The most pronounced effect was observed when the agents were applied together. Sulfinosine and curcumin caused perturbations in cell cycle distribution in the NCI-H460/R cell line. The combination of the two drugs induced a more pronounced cell cycle arrest in S and G2/M in NCI-H460/R cells. Our results show that sulfinosine and curcumin overcome MDR in non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line (NSCLC), especially in combination despite the presence of a mutated p53 gene. ©2008 Landes Bioscience.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is the main obstacle to a successful chemotherapy of lung cancer. We tested the potential of sulfinosine and curcumin, alone and in combination, for modulating MDR in the human resistant, non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line (NCI-H460/R). First, we determined the mutational status of the p53 gene in NCI-H460/R cells by PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing and identified mutations which could at least partially contribute to the development of the MDR phenotype. The effects of sulfinosine and curcumin were studied, both separately and in combination, at the level of cytotoxicity, cell cycle distribution and gene expression. Sulfinosine displayed dose-dependent growth inhibition in both resistant and control sensitive cell lines, whereas curcumin considerably inhibited their growth only at relatively high doses. When sulfinosine was combined with a low dose of curcumin the drugs exerted a synergistic cytotoxic effect in NCI-H460/R cells. The expression of MDR-related genes mdr1, gst-π and topo IIα, was altered by sulfinosine and curcumin. The most pronounced effect was observed when the agents were applied together. Sulfinosine and curcumin caused perturbations in cell cycle distribution in the NCI-H460/R cell line. The combination of the two drugs induced a more pronounced cell cycle arrest in S and G2/M in NCI-H460/R cells. Our results show that sulfinosine and curcumin overcome MDR in non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line (NSCLC), especially in combination despite the presence of a mutated p53 gene. ©2008 Landes Bioscience.

The uptake of nucleobases was investigated across the basolateral membrane of the sheep choroid plexus perfused in situ. The maximal uptake (Umax) for hypoxanthine and adenine, was 35.51±1.50% and 30.71±0.49% and for guanine, thymine and uracil was 12.00±0.53%, 13.07±0.48% and 12.30±0.55%, respectively with a negligible backflux, except for that of thymine (35.11±5.37% of the Umax). HPLC analysis revealed that the purine nucleobase hypoxanthine and the pyrimidine nucleobase thymine can pass intact through the choroid plexus and enter the cerebrospinal fluid CSF so the lack of backflux for hypoxanthine was not a result of metabolic trapping in the cell. Competition studies revealed that hypoxanthine, adenine and thymine shared the same transport system, while guanine and uracil were transported by a separate mechanism and that nucleosides can partially share the same transporter. HPLC analysis of sheep CSF collected in vivo revealed only two nucleobases were present adenine and hypoxanthine; with an RCSF/Plasma 0.19±0.02 and 3.43±0.20, respectively. Xanthine and urate, the final products of purine catabolism, could not be detected in the CSF even in trace amounts. These results suggest that the activity of xanthine oxidase in the brain of the sheep is very low so the metabolic degradation of purines is carried out only as far as hypoxanthine which then accumulates in the CSF. In conclusion, the presence of saturable transport systems for nucleobases at the basolateral membrane of the choroidal epithelium was demonstrated, which could be important for the distribution of the salvageable nucleobases, adenine and hypoxanthine in the central nervous system. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.

The uptake of nucleobases was investigated across the basolateral membrane of the sheep choroid plexus perfused in situ. The maximal uptake (Umax) for hypoxanthine and adenine, was 35.51±1.50% and 30.71±0.49% and for guanine, thymine and uracil was 12.00±0.53%, 13.07±0.48% and 12.30±0.55%, respectively with a negligible backflux, except for that of thymine (35.11±5.37% of the Umax). HPLC analysis revealed that the purine nucleobase hypoxanthine and the pyrimidine nucleobase thymine can pass intact through the choroid plexus and enter the cerebrospinal fluid CSF so the lack of backflux for hypoxanthine was not a result of metabolic trapping in the cell. Competition studies revealed that hypoxanthine, adenine and thymine shared the same transport system, while guanine and uracil were transported by a separate mechanism and that nucleosides can partially share the same transporter. HPLC analysis of sheep CSF collected in vivo revealed only two nucleobases were present adenine and hypoxanthine; with an RCSF/Plasma 0.19±0.02 and 3.43±0.20, respectively. Xanthine and urate, the final products of purine catabolism, could not be detected in the CSF even in trace amounts. These results suggest that the activity of xanthine oxidase in the brain of the sheep is very low so the metabolic degradation of purines is carried out only as far as hypoxanthine which then accumulates in the CSF. In conclusion, the presence of saturable transport systems for nucleobases at the basolateral membrane of the choroidal epithelium was demonstrated, which could be important for the distribution of the salvageable nucleobases, adenine and hypoxanthine in the central nervous system. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.

The uptake of principal salvageable nucleobase hypoxanthine was investigated across the basolateral membrane of the sheep choroid plexus (CP) perfused in situ. The results suggest that hypoxanthine uptake was Na + -independent, which means that transport system on the basolateral membrane can mediate the transport in both directions. Although the unlabelled nucleosides adenosine and inosine markedly reduce the transport it seems that this inhibition was due to nucleoside degradation into nucleobases in the cells, since non-metabolised nucleoside analogue NBTI did not inhibit the transport. The presence of adenine also inhibits hypoxanthine uptake while the addition of the pyrimidines does not show any effect, so it seems that the transport of purine nucleobases through basolateral membrane is mediated via a common transporter which is different from the nucleoside transporters. The inclusion of allopurinol in the perfusion fluid did not change the value and general shape of the curve for the uptake which suggest that degradation of hypoxanthine into xanthine and uric acid does not occur in the CP. The capacity of the CP basolateral membrane to transport hypoxanthine is high (90.63±3.79 nM/min/g) and close to the values obtained for some essential amino acids by the CP and blood-brain barrier, while the free diffusion is negligible. The derived value of K m (20.72±2.42 μM) is higher than the concentration of hypoxanthine in the sheep plasma (15.61±2.28 μM) but less than a half of the concentration in the CSF, which indicates that the transport system at basolateral membrane mostly mediates the efflux of hypoxanthine from the cerebrospinal fluid in vivo. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

The uptake of principal salvageable nucleobase hypoxanthine was investigated across the basolateral membrane of the sheep choroid plexus (CP) perfused in situ. The results suggest that hypoxanthine uptake was Na + -independent, which means that transport system on the basolateral membrane can mediate the transport in both directions. Although the unlabelled nucleosides adenosine and inosine markedly reduce the transport it seems that this inhibition was due to nucleoside degradation into nucleobases in the cells, since non-metabolised nucleoside analogue NBTI did not inhibit the transport. The presence of adenine also inhibits hypoxanthine uptake while the addition of the pyrimidines does not show any effect, so it seems that the transport of purine nucleobases through basolateral membrane is mediated via a common transporter which is different from the nucleoside transporters. The inclusion of allopurinol in the perfusion fluid did not change the value and general shape of the curve for the uptake which suggest that degradation of hypoxanthine into xanthine and uric acid does not occur in the CP. The capacity of the CP basolateral membrane to transport hypoxanthine is high (90.63±3.79 nM/min/g) and close to the values obtained for some essential amino acids by the CP and blood-brain barrier, while the free diffusion is negligible. The derived value of K m (20.72±2.42 μM) is higher than the concentration of hypoxanthine in the sheep plasma (15.61±2.28 μM) but less than a half of the concentration in the CSF, which indicates that the transport system at basolateral membrane mostly mediates the efflux of hypoxanthine from the cerebrospinal fluid in vivo. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.