Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Isothiocyanates”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

Effects of MEK1 and PI3K inhibitors on allyl-, benzyl- and phenylethyl-isothiocyanate-induced G2/M arrest and cell death in Caco-2 cells.

Isothiocyanates (ITCs) are potentially important cancer chemopreventive compounds found in cruciferous vegetables. In this study, three ITCs: allyl ITC, benzyl ITC and phenylethyl ITC, induced DNA cell-cycle changes and cell death in undifferentiated Caco-2 cells and their roles in PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK signaling pathways have been investigated. Flow cytometric analysis was used to measure cell-cycle distribution, expression of mitotic marker (phosphorylated H3 histone), mitochondrial transmembrane potential for the determination of ITC-induced apoptosis measured by Annexin V-FITC staining and metabolic conversion of fluorescein diacetate, and quantification of sub-G1 population. Cellular MAPK and phosphorylated MAPK were measured using western blot analysis. All ITCs tested induced G2/M cell-cycle arrest after 24-h treatment, a time- and concentration-dependent activation of ERK1/2, dissipation of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and apoptosis. Both PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK inhibitors, LY294002 and PD98059, attenuated the extent of BITC-induced cell death. Pretreatment of cells with either the PD98059 or LY294002 inhibitor, caused a dose-dependent inhibition of histone H3 (p-H3) phosphorylation. Despite the LY294002 inhibitor having no effect on the proportion of ITC-induced G2/M arrested cells, a significant decrease of p-H3/(G2/M) ratio in both PD98059- and LY294002-treated cells was observed. We suggest that the decrease of mitotic cells was compensated for by an increase of cells in G2 phase. LY294002 and PD98059 affect cell transition from G2 to M phase and from S to G2 phase respectively. These results indicate that isothiocyanates can induce cell cycle-change through multiple signaling pathways and more detailed study is merited to further unravel the chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic mechanisms of ITCs.

Apoptosis↗

Epigenetic mechanism of growth inhibition induced by phenylhexyl isothiocyanate in prostate cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Isothiocyanates, the constituents of cruciferous vegetables, may be able to prevent prostate cancer. The hypothesis that they could remodel chromatins and activate cell cycle inhibitors, such as p21 for growth inhibition, was tested. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prostate cancer LNCaP cells were exposed to phenylhexyl isothiocyanate (PHI). The status of histone acetylation and the activity of histone deacetylases (HDAC) were investigated. The association of p21 with hyperacetylated histones was examined by chromatin immunoprecipitation. RESULTS: The PHI-exposed LNCaP cells had diminished activity of HDAC 1 and 2. Global and selective histone acetylation was enhanced, consistent with the signs of chromatin unfolding. The hyperacetylated histones increased accessibility to the p21 promoter for transcription, leading to G1 arrest and apoptosis. CONCLUSION: PHI inhibited the activity of HDAC and remodeled chromatins to activate p21 for cell cycle arrest, underlying an epigenetic mechanism regulating the growth of prostate cancer cells.

Apoptosis↗

Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) induces apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells in vitro.

Advanced ovarian cancer (OC) is not curable by surgery alone and chemotherapy is essential for its treatment. Isothiocyanates have been shown to inhibit carcinogen-induced tumorigenesis in animal models, yet no efforts have been made to determine their therapeutic potential in OC. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of the anti-proliferative and apoptotic activity of benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) in OC. BITC inhibited the proliferation of OC cells and induced apoptosis in OC cells. Apoptosis was induced by a strong activation of caspase-3 and -9, and cleavage of PARP-1. However, caspase-8 was not activated by BITC. Cytotoxic effects of BITC were reversed by the inhibition caspase-3 and -9 specific inhibitors. BITC showed a concentration dependent decrease in the levels of Bcl-2 with a concomitant increase in Bax levels. In addition, BITC activated proapoptotic signaling by phosphorylation JNK1/2 and p38 while simultaneously inhibiting survival signaling mediated by ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. While JNK inhibitor SP600125 and p38 inhibitor SB203580, abolished the cytotoxic effect of BITC, MEK inhibitor, PD98059 and PI3 kinase inhibitor, LY294002 failed to show such reversal indicating a critical role played by JNK1/2 and p38 signaling in apoptosis induced by BITC. In summary, our studies demonstrate that BITC inhibits proliferation of OC cells and induces apoptosis via caspase-9 and -3 pathways. BITC inhibits ERK1/2 and Akt survival signaling while simultaneously activating pro-apoptotic p38 and JNK1/2. Therefore, BITC can be potentially developed as a therapeutic agent to treat OC.

Animals↗

Isothiocyanate iberin modulates phase II enzymes, posttranslational modification of histones and inhibits growth of Caco-2 cells by inducing apoptosis.

The aim of presented study was to further investigate the concentration-dependent changes induced by isothiocyanate iberin (IBN) in human colon carcinoma Caco-2 cells. The concentrations of IBN below IC(50) value (18 microM, 72 h) triggered the augmentation of mRNA levels for phase II detoxification GSTA1 and UGT1A1 enzymes and antioxidant thioredoxin reductase 1 gene in cells treated for 24 h. In addition a significant increase of acetylated H4 histone was detected. The mRNA induction peaked at IC(50) value and returned to level of control cells at 40 microM concentration of IBN. The cell cycle changes, gamma-H2AX stainability and the increase of phospho-H3 mitotic marker were induced at concentrations above IC(50) value. Appearance of Annexin V positive apoptotic cells and sub-G1 fragmented DNA as well as decrease of mitochondrial transmembrane potential confirmed cytotoxic effect of IBN observed in MTT assay. The predominance of necrotic cells and profound positivity of gamma-H2AX took place at the highest concentration of IBN. Thus, IBN represents the effective member of natural chemopreventive isothiocyanate family with which apoptotic potential can by employed to eliminate tumor cells.

Acetylation↗

Inhibitory effects of phenethyl isothiocyanate on N-nitrosobenzylmethylamine carcinogenesis in the rat esophagus.

F-344 rats fed diets containing phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC; 3 and 6 mumol/g diet), a naturally occurring constituent of cruciferous vegetables, before and during treatment with the carcinogen N-nitrosobenzylmethylamine (NBMA), developed 99-100% fewer esophageal tumors than NBMA-treated control rats. PEITC exhibited inhibitory effects against both preneoplastic lesions (acanthosis and hyperkeratosis, leukoplakia, leukokeratosis) and neoplastic lesions (papilloma, carcinoma). Tumors were not observed in rats treated with PEITC alone. The effects of PEITC (10, 25, 50, 100 microM) on the metabolism and DNA binding of NBMA in cultured explants of rat esophagus were also investigated. PEITC produced a marked (53-97%) dose-dependent inhibition in the binding of NBMA metabolites to DNA and in the levels of DNA methylation at the N7 (20-89%) and O6 (55-93%) positions of guanine. This isothiocyanate also reduced the metabolism of NBMA by esophageal tissues as indicated by increased amounts of unmetabolized NBMA in the medium of cultures containing PEITC. Collectively, these data indicate that PEITC is a potent inhibitor of NBMA-induced esophageal carcinogenesis in rats.

Animals↗

Blood haemoglobin determination as haemiglobin isothiocyanate.

A method for the determination of blood haemoglobin, as haemiglobin isothiocyanate was developed and evaluated. Appropriate concentrations of the reagents were chosen to minimize the risk of turbidity from plasma proteins. The stability constant of the isothiocyanate derivative was measured, then used to select a KSCN concentration high enough to bring about complete transformation. The method compared fairly well with the standard HiCN method, and with automatic haemoglobin measurements. The proposed procedure has no particular analytical advantages over the standard HiCN method, the haemiglobin azide method, or the alkaline haematin method; but it uses low-toxicity, non-hazardous chemicals.

Hemoglobins↗

Enhancement of glutathione S-transferase activity of the esophagus by phenols, lactones, and benzyl isothiocyanate.

The effects of feeding p-methoxyphenol, benzyl isothiocyanate, coumarin, alpha-angelicalactone, 2-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, and 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole on the glutathione S-transferase activity and sulfhydryl levels of esophagus and small bowel mucosa of ICR/Ha mice have been investigated. p-Methoxyphenol, benzyl isothiocyanate, coumarin, and 2-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole increased glutathione S-transferase activity of the esophagus by 68 to 135%, alpha-angelicalactone was less effective, and 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole had only a small enhancing capacity. All six compounds increased the sulfhydryl levels of the esophagus. The ranking order and magnitude of the enhancing effects of the six compounds on glutathione S-transferase activity are similar for esophagus and forestomach (previously published) but differ from that of the small bowel mucosa. Since esophageal cancer is an important cause of cancer deaths in many parts of the world, information as to factors which can enhance protective systems of this organ may be of value.

Animals↗

Phenethyl isothiocyanate, a new dietary liver aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor.

Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) is found in cabbages and other commonly ingested cruciferous vegetables. Isothiocyanates have anticarcinogenic properties, proposed to be mediated in part by their inhibition of several cytochrome P450 (CYP) forms. We administered PEITC to rats treated chronically with ethanol for 38 days by means of total enteral nutrition model to inhibit CYP2E1. We observed that PEITC not only efficiently prevented the ethanol-induced elevation of CYP2E1 apoprotein and mRNA, but also significantly elevated blood acetaldehyde levels. An elevation also was observed in naive animals acutely administered PEITC and ethanol, an effect found to be associated with marked inhibition of liver aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). PEITC (1 mmol/kg) inhibited total liver ALDH activity by more than 70% and inhibition persisted for at least 24 hr. The inhibition was similar to that caused by an equimolar dose of disulfiram. Experiments using subcellular rat liver fractions revealed that both low- and high-Km ALDH forms were inhibited by low concentrations of PEITC (IC50 = 0.8-6.0 microM). Importantly, the mitochondrial low-Km ALDH activity, which is mainly responsible for detoxification of low aldehyde levels, was strongly inhibited (IC50 = 1.4 microM). In contrast, neither alcohol dehydrogenase nor lactate dehydrogenase activity was inhibited by PEITC. Thus, PEITC inhibits liver ALDH with a potency similar to that of disulfiram, suggesting that, in susceptible individuals, ingestion of large amounts of cruciferous vegetables in combination with alcohol could give rise to antabus-like symptoms. This property of PEITC must be taken into account in experimental alcohol research and in evaluating its proposed anticarcinogenic actions on chemical procarcinogens that are activated into potentially carcinogenic aldehydes.

Acetaldehyde↗

Enhancement of experimental colon carcinogenesis by dietary 6-phenylhexyl isothiocyanate.

Naturally occurring and related synthetic isothiocyanates are known to exert chemopreventive effects in several organs in rodent models. The present study was designed to investigate the efficacy of 6-phenylhexyl isothiocyanate (PHITC), a potent chemopreventive agent in the lung tumor model in strain A mice, on azoxymethane-induced colon tumorigenesis. Another aim was to study the modulating effect of PHITC on colonic mucosal and tumor phospholipase A2 (PLA2), phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC), lipoxygenase (LOX), and cyclooxygenase (COX) activities. At 5 weeks of age, groups of male F344 rats were fed control diet or diets containing 320 or 640 ppm of PHITC representing 40 and 80% maximum tolerated dose levels, respectively. At 7 weeks of age, all animals except those in the vehicle-treated groups were given two weekly s.c. injections of azoxymethane at a dose rate of 15 mg/kg body weight/week. All animals continued on their respective dietary regimen for 52 weeks after the carcinogen treatment; then the study was terminated. Colonic mucosa and tumors were analyzed for PLA2, PI-PLC, prostaglandin (PG) E2, COX, and LOX activities. Intestinal tumors were evaluated histopathologically and classified as invasive or noninvasive adenocarcinomas. Intestinal tumor incidence (percentage of animals with tumors) and tumor multiplicity (tumors/animal; tumors/tumor-bearing animal) were compared among the dietary groups. At the 640-ppm dose level, dietary PHITC significantly increased the incidence of intestinal (small intestine plus colon) adenocarcinomas (P < 0.05) as well as the multiplicities of invasive and noninvasive adenocarcinomas of the colon (P < 0.05 to 0.01). At the 320-ppm dose level, PHITC increased the multiplicity (tumors/animal) of noninvasive adenocarcinomas and total (invasive plus noninvasive) adenocarcinomas of the colon (P < 0.05). Dietary PHITC also increased the colon tumor volume (2- to 4.3-fold) in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, PHITC significantly enhanced the activities of PLA2 (50-100%) and levels of PGE2 (2-fold) in the colonic mucosa and in tumors, but it had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on PI-PLC activity. The formation of COX metabolites, particularly PGE2, PGF2 alpha, PGD2, 6-keto PGF1 alpha, and thromboxane B2, as well as LOX metabolites such as 8(S)-, 12(S)- and 15 (S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, were significantly increased in the colonic mucosa and tumors of animals that were fed 640 ppm of PHITC. Although the exact mechanism by which PHITC promotes colon tumorigenesis remains to be elucidated, it is likely that the tumor-promoting effects of PHITC may, at least in part, be related to increased eicosanoid metabolism in the colon.

Animals↗

Identification of the ATP binding site in tyrocidine synthetase 1 by selective modification with fluorescein 5'-isothiocyanate.

Identification of the nucleotide binding site in peptide synthetases has been approached by affinity labeling of tyrocidine synthetase 1 with fluorescein 5'-isothiocyanate. Binding was accompanied by irreversible inhibition of the ATP-dependent phenylalanine activation reaction and was prevented in the presence of MgATP2-. The reaction obeyed pseudo first-order rate kinetics and was accelerated by Mg2+. Complete inhibition corresponded to incorporation of 2.3 mol of fluorescein 5'-isothiocyanate (FITC)/mol of protein. Upon protection by MgATP2-, about 1 mol of FITC is still incorporated; however, this does not affect activity. The modified synthetase was extensively fragmented by tryptic digestion and the labeled fragments isolated by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Two peptides, DHQVKIR and LDKMPLTPNDKIDR, have been identified by sequencing, and the FITC conjugate of the former peptide has been detected by laser desorption mass spectrometry. The labeled residues, Lys-422 and Lys-505, are located within highly conserved segments of this new class of synthetases.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Irreversible inhibition of forskolin interactions with type I adenylyl cyclase by a 6-isothiocyanate derivative of forskolin.

Forskolin (Fsk) has been demonstrated to interact directly with the enzyme adenylyl cyclase (EC 4.6.1.1) in diverse tissues. However, the ability of Fsk to bind to and activate adenylyl cyclase varies depending on the tissue being studied. Different adenylyl cyclase subtypes have been cloned and expressed in a recombinant Sf9 expression system. This provides an opportunity to study the effects of chemically reactive derivatives of Fsk on individual adenylyl cyclase subtypes in the absence of Gs alpha. Reaction of type I adenylyl cyclase with an isothiocyanate derivative of Fsk (6-[[N-(2-isothiocyanatoethyl)amino]carbonyl]forskolin) causes irreversible inhibition of Fsk binding with an IC50 of 300 nM and irreversible inhibition of Fsk activation with an IC50 of 10 microM, suggesting that there are two sites of 6-[[N-(2-isothiocyanatoethyl)amino]carbonyl]forskolin interaction. These studies establish the usefulness of the isothiocyanate derivative of Fsk in localizing the site(s) of Fsk interaction with type I adenylyl cyclase.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Micro-scale sequence analysis from the N-terminus of peptides using the fluorogenic Edman reagent 4-N,N-dimethylamino-1-naphthyl isothiocyanate.

The fluorogenic Edman reagent 4-N,N-dimethylamino-1-naphthyl isothiocyanate (DNTC) was reacted with amino acids and peptides, cyclized by acid and the liberated 4-N,N-dimethylamino-1-naphthyl thiohydantoin (DNTH) amino acids were then separated and detected by HPLC. The fluorescence intensities of DNTH-amino acids except DNTH-proline and -serine were dramatically increased in the alkaline solution and organic solvent. Thus, the postcolumn reaction with alkaline acetonitrile solution was adopted in HPLC. The polar and aromatic amino acids afforded two DNTH-amino acids on derivatization with DNTC and cyclization with acids. These were suggested to be stereoisomers of DNTH-amino acids. The sequence analysis of 0.5 nmol Leu-enkephalin was achieved by the double coupling method with DNTC and phenyl isothiocyanate followed by the proposed HPLC system.

1-Naphthylisothiocyanate↗

Determination of beta-phenylethylamine as its isothiocyanate derivative in biological samples by gas chromatography mass spectrometry.

A detailed procedure of a gas chromatographic mass spectrometric assay for beta-phenylethylamine in biological samples, after its reaction with carbon disulphide to form the isothiocyanate derivative, is presented. Our method has advantages over the previous methods with the pentafluoropropionic derivative of beta-phenylethylamine in that the isothiocyanate derivative of beta-phenylethylamine is much more stable than the pentafluoropropionic derivative and that the background in selected ion monitoring is very low. Using the present method, the levels of beta-phenylethylamine in human urine, untreated and pargyline-treated rat brain were found to be 15.3 micrograms 24 h-1, 1.4 and 160 ng g-1 wet weight, respectively.

Animals↗

Effect of alpha-naphthyl isothiocyanate on 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP)-induced mammary carcinogenesis in rats.

The modifying effects of alpha-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT) on 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP)-induced mammary carcinogenesis were investigated in female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, and the hepatic activities of the phase II detoxifying enzymes glutathione S-transferase (GST) and quinone reductase (QR) were also assayed. Ninety-eight rats were divided into 4 groups. Starting at 6 weeks of age, rats were fed the high-fat diet without ANIT (Groups 1 and 4) or the experimental diet (high-fat diet mixed with 400 ppm ANIT, Groups 2 and 3). At 7 weeks of age, Groups 1 and 2 were given PhIP in corn oil (85 mg/kg body weight, 8 times for 11 days) by intragastric intubation. One week after the last PhIP injection, 5 rats in each group were sacrificed to assay GST and QR activities, and the experimental diets for Groups 2 and 3 were switched to the high-fat diet without ANIT until termination of the experiment. Group 4 served as the vehicle control. All rats were sacrificed at 24 weeks after the start of the experiment. At termination of the experiment, mammary tumours were detected in Groups 1 (PhIP alone) and 2 (PhIP + ANIT) and were shown histologically to be adenocarcinomas; their incidences (multiplicities) were 56.3% (1.66 +/- 2.31/rat) in Group 1 and 6.7% (0.07 +/- 0.25/rat) in Group 2 (p < 0.001). Mean sizes of the tumours were 10.6 +/- 5.3 mm in Group 1 and 6.5 mm in Group 2. No mammary tumours were observed in rats of Groups 3 and 4. In addition, ANIT treatment significantly increased the activities of GST and QR in the livers of rats in Groups 2 and 3 as compared to Groups 1 and 4. These results imply that the isothiocyanate compound ANIT shows potent inhibitory effects on mammary carcinogenesis induced by PhIP in female SD rats when administered during the initiation stage.

1-Naphthylisothiocyanate↗

Pharmacokinetics of alpha-naphthyl isothiocyanate in rats.

Many naturally occurring and synthetic isothiocyanates can inhibit chemical carcinogenesis in animal models. Recently, we found that alpha-naphthyl isothiocyanate (1-NITC) inhibited P-glycoprotein- and multidrug resistance associated protein 1-mediated efflux, indicating the potential application of 1-NITC as a chemosensitizing agent for cancer chemotherapy. The objective of this study was to explore the pharmacokinetic characteristics of 1-NITC in rats. A single dose of 10, 25, 50, or 75 mg/kg of 1-NITC was administered intravenously or orally to female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 4 for each group). Dose-normalized concentration-time profiles were not superimposable following intravenous or oral dosing, indicating that the disposition of 1-NITC in rats was nonlinear. As doses increased from 10 to 75 mg/kg following iv administration, the total clearance decreased from 2.2 +/- 0.9 to 0.8 +/- 0.3 L/h/kg; oral availability averaged 0.46 for oral doses of 10-75 mg/kg. A nonlinear two-compartment open model with capacity-limited absorption and capacity-limited elimination from the central compartment best fit the data, based on goodness-of-fit criteria. The mechanism underlying the nonlinear elimination of 1-NITC in rats is most likely due to the capacity-limited metabolism of 1-NITC. This study represents the first report of the pharmacokinetics of 1-NITC.

1-Naphthylisothiocyanate↗

Induction of glutathione S-transferase, placental type in T9 glioma cells by dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate and modification of its expression by naturally occurring isothiocyanates.

The effect of dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (dibutyryl cAMP) on the expression of glutathione S-transferase placental type (GST-P) was examined in rat glioma cell line using an immunohistochemical technique. Cultured T9 glioma cells were negative for GST-P activity under normal conditions. However, treatment with 1 mM dibutyryl cAMP produced GST-P expression in about 50% of the cells, as well as some morphological changes. The expression of GST-P was increased with addition of dibutyryl cAMP together with 1 microgram/ml allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) or 0.1 microgram/ml benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC). With these combinated treatments, almost all cultured cells showed a strong positive reaction for GST-P, although AITC or BITC alone elicited GST-P in only 5% of the cultured cells. The results of the present study indicate that dibutyryl cAMP causes functional as well as morphological differentiation of T9 glioma cells.

Animals↗