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PubMed2006

Involvement of protein kinase C in 5-HT-evoked thermal hyperalgesia and spinal fos protein expression in the rat.

The present study was designed to characterize nociceptive response induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and to investigate effects of inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) in the periphery on noxious stimulus-evoked activity of the secondary neurons in the spinal cord. Subcutaneous injection of 5-HT (50 microg) and alpha-methylserotonin (alpha-m-5-HT, 5-HT2A receptor agonist, 50 microg) into the unilateral hindpaw evoked significant decreases in paw withdrawal latency (PWL). The 5-HT-induced hyperalgesia was abolished by ketanserin (5-HT2A antagonist, 10 microg, intraplantarly or i.pl.), but not by WAY100635 (5-HT1A antagonist, 100 microg, i.pl.). 5-HT and alpha-m-5-HT also evoked numerous expressions of c-Fos-like immunoreactivity (c-fos-LI) in the ipsilateral dorsal horn (predominantly laminae I-II) of the lumbar spinal cord. However, treatment with 8-OH-DPAT (5-HT1A receptor agonist, 100 microg, i.pl.) elicited only moderate thermal hyperalgesia and very limited expression of spinal c-fos-LI. Intraplantar chelerythrine (2, 6 or 10 microg), a PKC inhibitor, dose-dependently attenuated the hyperalgesia evoked by alpha-m-5-HT. Chelerythrine (10 microg, i.pl.) also completely prevented the development of hyperalgesia evoked by 5-HT but not by 8-OH-DPAT. Furthermore, pretreatment with chelerythrine significantly inhibited the expressions of c-fos-LI evoked by alpha-m-5-HT in laminae I-VI and by 5-HT in laminae I-II. These results demonstrate that PKC activation was involved in the development of nociceptive responses elicited by 5-HT and activation of peripheral 5-HT2A, but not 5-HT1A, receptors. The study also provides evidence at a cellular level that inhibition of PKC in the periphery suppresses the 5-HT-evoked neuronal activity in the central nervous system.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗
PubMed2004

Arg-vasopressin increases proliferation of human osteoblast-like cells and decreases production of interleukin-6 and macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

Patients with arginine-vasopressin (AVP) deficiency have been reported to have a decreased bone mass. The mechanism behind this is not known. In this study, the effects of AVP on primary human osteoblast-like (hOB) cells and SaOS-2 cells were investigated. Cell proliferation was measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation or a commercially available kit (EZ4U), and protein synthesis by [3H]proline incorporation. In addition, the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) in hOB cells was determined. AVP at 10-100 pmol/l increased cell proliferation in hOB and SaOS-2 cells (p < 0.05). Protein synthesis increased in SaOS-2 cells incubated with 10-100 pmol/l AVP (p < 0.01). When hOB and SaOS-2 cells were incubated with AVP together with a vasopressin receptor-1 (V1)-antagonist ([beta-Mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopenta-methylenepropionyl1,O-Me-Tyr2,Arg8]-vasopressin) or a protein kinase C (PKC)-inhibitor (chelerythrine) the increase in cell proliferation in response to AVP was abolished. The production of IL-6 and M-CSF was decreased in hOB-cells incubated with 10 pmol/l AVP (p < 0.01). In addition, by RT-PCR, we found evidence for expression of mRNA for the vasopressin 1a (V1a)-receptor in hOB cells. In conclusion, AVP stimulated proliferation of hOB- and SaOS-2 cells. We suggest that the effect was mediated through the V1-receptor. Additionally, AVP decreased production of IL-6 and M-CSF from the hOB cells. Moreover, the V1a-receptor seems to be expressed in hOB cells.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2005

The plant alkaloid Sanguinarine affects swine granulosa cell activity.

Sanguinarine (SA) has been used in toothpastes and oral rinse products and has been recently applied to livestock nutrition. This study was undertaken to examine the reproductive-related consequences of this feeding supplementation, evaluating SA effects (10, 100 and 300 nM) on swine granulosa cell steroidogenesis, oxidative enzyme activities (peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase), and proliferation. Since angiogenesis is fundamental for follicle development, we also tested the impact of SA exposure on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production. SA had no effect on proliferation and did not alter progesterone production, although it significantly reduced estradiol synthesis at the two highest concentrations tested (100 and 300 nM). SA addition to granulosa cell culture inhibited VEGF production and increased peroxidase and catalase activities at all tested concentrations while superoxide dismutase activity was increased only at 300 nM. Our data suggest that SA can negatively affect some key biochemical parameters of ovarian granulosa cells.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2006

Signal transduction pathways involved in non-genomic action of estrone on vascular tissue.

Previously we demonstrated that estrone non-genomically regulates rat aortic NOS and COX activity and that this effect depends on ovarian activity. The purpose of the present study was to characterize this effect and investigate the participation of phospholipase C and phophatidylinositol-3-kinase system in the intracellular transduction pathway involved in the response. Using aortic strips isolated from female fertile rats we showed that estrone stimulate nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase in a short time interval (5-20 min), and that NO production was dependent in part on PGI2 production since 1 microM indomethacin significantly reduced this free radical production. Injection of 17-beta-estradiol to ovariectomized rats restored tissue capacity to rapidly increase NO production in response to "in vitro" treatment with 1 nM estrone. We also demonstrated that in aortic strips isolated from intact animals estrone elicited a rapid phospholipase C activation, inducing a biphasic increase in diacylglycerol generation (peaking at 45 s and 5 min). The presence of protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine did not prevent the increase of NO released in response to hormone treatment. We proved that PI3K-Akt system does not mediate NOS and COX activation. However, PLC activation was dependent on PI3K since presence of LY 294002 in the incubation medium abolished estrone-induced DAG increment. We concluded that, estrone rapid action on vascular tissue involves a cross talk between NOS and COX system, and the activation of PLC/DAG/PKC transduction pathways.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2006

Induction of necrosis and apoptosis to KB cancer cells by sanguinarine is associated with reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial membrane depolarization.

Sanguinarine is a benzopheanthridine alkaloid present in the root of Sanguinaria canadensis L. and Chellidonium majus L. In this study, sanguinarine (2 and 3 microM) exhibited cytotoxicity to KB cancer cells by decreasing MTT reduction to 83% and 52% of control after 24-h of exposure. Sanguinarine also inhibited the colony forming capacity (>52-58%) and growth of KB cancer cells at concentrations higher than 0.5-1 microM. Short-term exposure to sanguinarine (>0.5 microM) effectively suppressed the adhesion of KB cells to collagen and fibronectin (FN). Sanguinarine (2 and 3 microM) induced evident apoptosis as indicated by an increase in sub-G0/G1 populations, which was detected after 6-h of exposure. Only a slight increase in cells arresting in S-phase and G2/M was noted. Induction of KB cell apoptosis and necrosis by sanguinarine (2 and 3 microM) was further confirmed by Annexin V-PI dual staining flow cytometry and the presence of DNA fragmentation. The cytotoxicity by sanguinarine was accompanied by an increase in production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential as indicated by single cell flow cytometric analysis of DCF and rhodamine fluorescence. NAC (1 and 3 mM) and catalase (2000 U/ml) prevented the sanguinarine-induced ROS production and cytotoxicity, whereas dimethylthiourea (DMT) showed no marked preventive effect. These results suggest that sanguinarine has anticarcinogenic properties with induction of ROS production and mitochondrial membrane depolarization, which mediate cancer cell death.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMed2004

Involvement of cytochrome P450 1A in sanguinarine detoxication.

Sanguinarine (SA), a member of the benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids, is a potent anti-microbial agent with anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic properties. However, toxicity of the alkaloid severely limits its medical applications. Recent report by Williams et al. implicated rat hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2 as a likely modulator of SA toxicity. Indeed, the in vitro toxicity of SA in primary culture of rat hepatocytes and human hepatic cell line HepG2, demonstrated as lactate dehydrogenase leakage and metabolic capability (MTT assay), was diminished following induction of CYP1A by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, 3-methylcholanthrene, and beta-naphtoflavone. Using microsomes containing recombinant CYP1A1 or CYP1A2 we show that SA causes non-competitive inhibition of the former and competitive inhibition of the latter as assessed by ethoxyresorufin de-ethylation (EROD). In human hepatic microsomes SA exhibits competitive inhibition of EROD activity with apparent K(i) of 2 microM, a value identical to that observed for CYP1A2 inhibition in recombinant system. Pre-incubation of SA with human liver microsomes resulted in time-dependent, but not dose-dependent decline in EROD activity suggesting CYP1A2 inhibition is not mechanism based. SA also inhibits activity of NADPH:CYP reductase, an enzyme required for CYP activity, with IC(50) very similar to that observed for EROD inhibition. Tentative mechanism for CYP1A involvement in decreased in vitro SA toxicity is discussed.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2004

Regulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in glioma cells by lead and lipopolysaccharide: involvement of common signaling pathway.

Both lead (Pb) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) damage nervous system, partly, by the induction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in glia origin. In this study, we examined the Pb- and LPS-triggered signal leading to TNF-alpha expression in a glioma cell line, U-373MG. Both Pb and LPS increased the phosphorylation of p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which depended on the activation of MAPK kinase (MEK) and protein kinase C (PKC). Selective p42/44 MAPK inhibitor could reduce the Pb- and LPS-triggered TNF-alpha expression in U-373MG cells. Suppressing PKC by chelerythrine chloride completely diminished the Pb- and LPS-induced TNF-alpha expression in glial cells in the mouse brain. Thus, our results indicated that PKC-MEK-p42/44 MAPK is a common signaling pathway for Pb- and LPS-induced TNF-alpha expression in glial cells.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2005

Sanguinarine activates polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon associated metabolic pathways in human oral keratinocytes and tissues.

Sanguinarine's use in human clinical applications is currently controversial. While some studies have demonstrated sanguinarine's anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, other investigations reported sanguinarine's procarcinogenic effects. Like the tobacco-associated carcinogen, benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), sanguinarine is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). PAH exposure activates the aryl hydrocarbon transcription activating factor (AhR), resulting in nuclear translocation, binding to the aryl hydrocarbon nuclear translocator (ARNT), which thereby increases expression of a pool of carcinogen metabolizing enzymes. The goal of this study was to investigate whether sanguinarine activates this PAH-associated signaling cascade in human oral cells and tissues. Our results demonstrate that sanguinarine: (i) results in formation of the AhR-ARNT complex, (ii) induces AhR-associated gene expression, (iii) inhibits cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP 1A1) microsomal oxidative activity and (iv) pretreatment upregulates CYP 1A1 function. Collectively, these data provide evidence that sanguinarine activates PAH-associated signaling and metabolic pathways. Notably, previous studies have demonstrated that mammalian hepatic microsomes metabolize sanguinarine to a mutagenic epoxide. Persons who respond to sanguinarine exposure with induction of primarily Phase I relative to Phase II enzymes are, therefore, at risk for sanguinarine bioactivation and its potential mutagenic effects.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Cytotoxicity of sanguinarine in primary rat hepatocytes is attenuated by dioxin and phenobarbital.

Putative interactions between quaternary benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloid sanguinarine (SA) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor/cytochrome P450 CYP1A (AhR/CYP1A) regulatory pathway are the subject of perpetual disputations. The role of CYP1A enzymes and AhR receptor in SA cytotoxicity was anticipated. In this paper, we tested, whether selected inducers of CYP enzymes modulate cytotoxicity of SA in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. Cells were challenged 48h with dioxin (TCDD; 5nM), phenobarbital (PB; 500microM) or DMSO prior to the treatment with SA. SA itself displayed time- and dose-dependent cytotoxicity as revealed by lactate dehydrogenase leakage into the medium and MTT test. Pre-treatment of hepatocytes with TCDD and/or PB significantly attenuated SA cytotoxicity, the effects being more pronounced at lower concentrations of SA and shorter periods of incubation. We assumed involvement of CYP1A enzymes in diminution of SA cytotoxicity. Surprisingly, co-treatment with SA and furafylline, an inhibitor of CYP1A enzymes, further attenuated SA cytotoxicity instead of expected reversal of this effect. We conclude that TCDD- and PB-inducible genes attenuate cytotoxicity of SA in rat hepatocytes. CYP1A enzymes are not involved in this attenuation, but they rather augment SA cytotoxicity. Future research should focus on analyses of the involvement of other CYPs in SA cytotoxicity and on identification of TCDD-/PB-controlled genes responsible for observed phenomenon.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2004

Transient glucose deprivation causes upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in cardiac fibroblasts.

Transient glucose deprivation (TGD) has been shown to induce a resistance to a subsequent ischemia and reperfusion injury in the heart. Induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is known to mediate the powerful defensive adaptation of the heart against oxidative stress. In this study, we found that a 30-min incubation in the absence of glucose resulted in a rapid increased expression of COX-2 and HO-1 in cardiac fibroblasts as examined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot analysis. Interestingly, TGD increased the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and caused the transient phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) as well as the translocation of protein kinase C (PKC)- from the cytosolic to the membrane fraction. However, no significant change in the distribution of PKC-delta isoform was observed compared with the control. Pretreatment of the cells with an antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), resulted in the inhibition of p38 MAPK phosphorylation and PKC- translocation during TGD. In addition, the induction of COX-2 and HO-1 expression by TGD was prevented by pretreatment with NAC or SB203580, a p38 MAPK inhibitor. Surprisingly, pretreatment with chelerythrine, an inhibitor of PKC, strongly augmented the HO-1 mRNA expression but blocked the COX-2 mRNA induction by TGD. These results demonstrate that briefly removing glucose from cultured cardiac fibroblasts induces COX-2 and HO-1 expression via generation of ROS and p38 MAPK phosphorylation, while the translocation of PKC- to the membrane fraction may participate in the induction of COX-2 but not in the HO-1 expression.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2004

17beta-estradiol reduces the effect of metabolic inhibition on gap junction intercellular communication in rat cardiomyocytes via the estrogen receptor.

The effects of 17beta-estradiol (E2) on gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) were assessed by Lucifer yellow dye coupling in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes after metabolic inhibition (MI) using potassium cyanide and sodium iodoacetate. MI significantly reduced dye coupling of cardiomyocytes to 8.5% +/- 0.6% of control levels, and pretreatment with E2, but not its inactive isomer 17alpha-estradiol, dose-dependently (EC(50) = 0.41 microM) increased the dye coupling up to 76% +/- 15% of control levels. The effect of E2 on MI-induced dye uncoupling was abolished by tamoxifen, a potent estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist. The ligand, E2-BSA-FITC, labeled the cardiomyocyte surface, whereas BSA-FITC did not, suggesting the presence of membrane-associated E2 receptors. Double immunofluorescence microscopy showed that MI-induced the accumulation of non-phosphorylated Cx43 at the gap junction and that this was prevented by E2 pretreatment. Labeling of Lucifer yellow-microinjected cardiomyocytes with antibodies specific for Ser368-phosphorylated Cx43 (Ser368Cx43) or non-phosphorylated Cx43 confirmed that E2 reduced the MI-induced inhibition of dye coupling and accumulation of non-phosphorylated Cx43 concomitant with the reappearance of Ser368Cx43 at the gap junction. MI caused a decrease in Ser368Cx43 protein levels, and pretreatment with E2 significantly increased the levels of Ser368Cx43. Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) with chelerythrine blocked the E2-induced increase of Ser368Cx43 levels in MI-treated cardiomyocytes. These results suggest that E2 attenuates the inhibitory effect of MI on GJIC in cardiomyocytes by affecting the phosphorylation of Cx43, possibly mediated by activation of PKC via a membrane-associated signaling mechanism.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1994

Antimicrobial mouthrinses: overview and update.

The Seal of Acceptance of the American Dental Association's Council on Dental Therapeutics has been awarded to Listerine and chlorhexidine gluconate (Peridex). The mechanism of action of Listerine involves bacterial cell wall destruction, bacterial enzymatic inhibition, and extraction of bacterial lipopolysaccharides. Chlorhexidine has the property of substantivity, i.e. the ability to bind to hard and soft tissue with slow release. Antibacterial mouthrinses/dentifrices containing triclosan hold promise for the reduction of plaque and gingivitis but are not yet available in the United States. The quaternary ammonium compounds and sanguinarine compounds (Viadent) have some merit, but studies of their efficacy in plaque and gingivitis reduction are mixed. New products containing various fluorides and oxygenating agents may have potential for the future as antiplaque and antigingivitis agents.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2004

Chronic high pressure-induced arterial oxidative stress: involvement of protein kinase C-dependent NAD(P)H oxidase and local renin-angiotensin system.

Regardless of the underlying pathological mechanisms oxidative stress seems to be present in all forms of hypertension. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that chronic presence of high pressure itself elicits increased arterial O(2)(.-) production. Hypertension was induced in rats by abdominal aortic banding (Ab). Rats with Ab had elevated pressure in vessels proximal and normal pressure in vessels distal to the coarctation, yet both vascular beds were exposed to the same circulating factors. Compared to normotensive hind limb arteries (HLAs) hypertensive forelimb arteries (FLAs) exhibited 1) impaired dilations to acetylcholine and the nitric oxide donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine that were restored by administration of superoxide dismutase; 2) an increased production of O(2)(.-) (measured by lucigenin chemiluminescence and ethidium bromide fluorescence) that was inhibited or reduced by superoxide dismutase, the NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitors diphenyleneiodonium and apocynin, or the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors chelerythrine and staurosporine or by the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor captopril; and 3) increased ACE activity. In organ culture, exposure of isolated arteries of normotensive rats to high pressure (160 mmHg, for 24 hours) significantly increased O(2)(.-) production compared to that in arteries exposed to 80 mmHg. High pressure-induced O(2)(.-) generation was reduced by inhibitors of ACE and PKC. Incubation of cultured arteries with angiotensin II elicited significantly increased O(2)(.-) generation that was inhibited by chelerythrine. Thus, we propose that chronic presence of high pressure itself can elicit arterial oxidative stress, primarily by activating directly a PKC-dependent NAD(P)H oxidase pathway, but also, in part, via activation of the local renin-angiotensin system.

Acetophenones↗
PubMed2002

Protective effects of protein kinase C during myocardial ischemia require activation of phosphatidyl-inositol specific phospholipase C.

BACKGROUND: Protein kinase C (PKC) activation during myocardial ischemia is thought to be cardioprotective. However, the mechanism of ischemia-induced PKC activation remains unclear. We hypothesized that ischemic PKC activation occurs through activation of phosphatidyl-inositol specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) and protects the heart from ischemic injury. METHODS: Isolated rabbit hearts were subjected to 20 minutes of normothermic ischemia and reperfusion. The PI-PLC inhibitor U73122 (0.5 micromol/L), its inactive analogue U73343 (0.5 micromol/L), or the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine (2 micromol/L) were given just before ischemia. Another group received U73122 plus the direct PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA, 10 pmol/L). Measurements included contractile function, intracellular calcium, PI-PLC activity, and translocation of PKC isoforms. RESULTS: PI-PLC activity increased during myocardial ischemia and was inhibited by U73122. PI-PLC inhibition prevented the ischemic translocation of PKC-alpha, PKC-epsilon, and PKC-eta, and impaired cardiac recovery and cytosolic calcium regulation without significant changes in energy metabolism. PMA restored both contractile function and PKC translocation pattern in U73122-treated hearts. Direct PKC inhibition with chelerythrine mimicked the effects of U73122. CONCLUSIONS: PI-PLC mediates PKC translocation during myocardial ischemia. Inhibition of PI-PLC or PKC activation, or both, during ischemia significantly impairs postischemic myocardial recovery.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1998

Postischemic function and protein kinase C signal transduction.

BACKGROUND: The protective effects of myocardial preconditioning may occur by way of multiple mechanisms, with G-protein-mediated protein kinase C (PKC) translocation as a final common pathway. In this study we investigate the pharmacologic induction of preconditioning, by PKC translocation, using PKC agonists/antagonists to reveal its effects on contractile function after myocardial ischemia. METHODS: Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts received: (1) control; (2) dimethyl sulfoxide (vehicle); (3) acetylcholine (0.55 mmol/L; PKC agonist); (4) 1,2-s,n-dioctanoylglycerol (DOG; 22 mmol/L; PKC agonist); (5) chelerythrine (0.8 mmol/L; PKC antagonist); or (6) DOG-chelerythrine followed by a 2-hour ischemic period, using modified St. Thomas cardioplegia and a 45-minute reperfusion period. The period of ischemia was chosen so as to allow for improvement by appropriate agonists. To observe metabolic changes, tissue nucleotides and nucleosides were measured. Membrane and cytosolic fractions of PKC were determined by an anti-PKC antibody directed against the PKC delta isozyme. Lactate levels and myocardial pH were measured. RESULTS: The PKC agonists DOG and acetylcholine showed the greatest recovery of developed pressure (68% +/- 2%, 60% +/- 9%, respectively). Although pH, lactate, and nucleotide levels were similar between groups at all times, myocyte PKC translocation demonstrated 25% of PKC delta isoforms on cell membrane sites during baseline, which shifted to 67% delta 17% with unprotected ischemia. DOG mimicked this shift with 58% delta 12% of PKC delta isoforms on membranes, which was also blocked by chelerythrine to 35% +/- 7%. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that PKC translocation results in improved postischemic function, not by alteration of energetics or metabolism, and deserves further investigation.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2003

PKC is required for activation of ROCK by RhoA in human endothelial cells.

Rho/Rho-kinase (ROCK) complex formation is the only proposed mechanism for ROCK activation. Rho/ROCK and PKC can exhibit a convergence of cellular effects such as suppression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression. We, therefore, investigated the role of PKC in RhoA/ROCK complex formation and activation linked to eNOS expression in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. We showed that expression of constitutively active RhoA (Rho63) or ROCK (CAT) suppressed eNOS gene expression. This effect of Rho63 but not that of CAT was abolished by phorbol ester-sensitive PKC depletion. Accordingly, depletion or inhibition of PKC prevented ROCK activation by Rho63 without affecting RhoA/ROCK complex formation. Similarly, suppression of eNOS expression and activation of ROCK, but not RhoA by thrombin were prevented by PKC inhibition or depletion. These results indicate that RhoA/ROCK complex formation alone is not sufficient and PKC is required for RhoA-induced ROCK activation leading to eNOS gene suppression.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2002

Modulation of apoptosis by mitochondrial uncouplers: apoptosis-delaying features despite intrinsic cytotoxicity.

Disruption of mitochondrial electron transport and opening of the so-called mitochondrial permeability transition pores (PTPs) are early events in apoptotic cell death and may be caused by the uncoupler of mitochondrial oxidation and phosphorylation, carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP). We investigated the cellular toxicity of FCCP in HL60 and CCRF-CEM cells alone or in combination with the known apoptosis inducers such as inhibitor of serine/threonine protein kinases staurosporine (Sts) and protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine. FCCP induced apoptotic cell death in both cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, and we were able to demonstrate an appearance of caspase-3-dependent PARP cleavage fragments with Western blot and the appearance of large (15-50 kb) DNA fragments using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. After 2 hr of incubation with Che or Sts more than half of the cells had died by apoptosis. We observed a statistically significant delay in Sts- and Che-induced apoptotic cell death in CCRF-CEM cells when the cells were preincubated with FCCP but not with zVAD-FMK: about 50% more cells survived after pre-treatment with FCCP, as compared to 1 hr treatment with Che alone (P<0.05), and 25% more cells were alive after 6 hr of treatment, as compared to 6 hr exposure to Sts alone (P<0.05). The protective effect of FCCP was, however, transient and lasted only 6 hr. Treatment with aurintricarboxylic acid completely prevented Che- and Sts-induced apoptotic cell death in CCRF-CEM and HL60 cells. Incubation with Che resulted in a drop in the intracellular ATP content, predominantly distinctive in HL60, and in NAD(+) content in CCRF-CEM cells. Both ATP and NAD(+) drop were prevented with ATA, but not with FCCP or zVAD. Our data suggest that treatment with uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation can induce apoptotic cell death in haematopoietic cell lines. However, when used in combination with serine/threonine protein kinase inhibitors FCCP can even prevent apoptosis.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗