[Ascorbic acid enhances the apoptosis of U937 cells induced by arsenic trioxide in combination with DMNQ and its mechanism].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate whether ascorbic acid could enhance the efficacy of arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) combined with 2, 3-dimethoxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone (DMNQ) in inducing the apoptosis of leukemia cell line U937 and its possible mechanism.

METHODS:

Flow cytometry and electron microscopy were applied to detect apoptosis of U937 cells after treatment with various combinations of As(2)O(3), DMNQ and ascorbic acid for 24 hours.

RESULTS:

As(2)O(3) and DMNQ induced-apoptosis of U937 cells was enhanced (35.24%-->61.20%) upon cotreatment with ascorbic acid. Catalase could reverse this effect of DMNQ. Ascorbic acid had no effect on DMNQ-induced apoptosis of U937 cells.

CONCLUSION:

Ascorbic acid enhanced the apoptosis of U937 cells via reactive oxygen species-dependent pathway in the presence of As(2)O(3).

• Authors: Fei Gao, Jing Yi, Guiying Shi, Hui Li, Xuegeng Shi, Zhiwei Wang, Xueming Tang
• Journal: Zhonghua xue ye xue za zhi = Zhonghua xueyexue zazhi (Zhonghua Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi) Vol. 23 Issue 1 Pg. 9-11 (Jan 2002) ISSN: 0253-2727 [Print] China
• PMID: 12015080 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Arsenicals
• Naphthoquinones
• Oxides
• 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone
• Ascorbic Acid
• Arsenic Trioxide

Topics

• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Arsenic Trioxide
• Arsenicals (pharmacology)
• Ascorbic Acid (pharmacology)
• Drug Synergism
• Flow Cytometry
• Humans
• Naphthoquinones (pharmacology)
• Oxides (pharmacology)
• U937 Cells