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Chou JC, Li JH, Chen CC, Chen CW, Lin H, Wang PS. Inhibitory Effects of Digoxin and Digitoxin on Cell Growth in Human Ovarian Cancer Cell Line SKOV-3. Integr Cancer Ther 2021; 20:15347354211002662. [PMID: 33736483 PMCID: PMC7983234 DOI: 10.1177/15347354211002662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cardiac glycosides (CGs) possess a chemical structure similar to steroids,
and are inhibitors of the sodium potassium pump. An anti-tumor effect of CGs
in breast and prostate cancers has been reported, but the effect of CGs on
ovarian cancer is still unclear. Aims: In this study, the effects of CGs on proliferation, cytotoxicity and cell
cycle of ovarian cancer cell line (SKOV-3) have been investigated. Procedure: The cell proliferation and cytotoxicity were detected by MTT assay and LDH
activity assay, respectively. CGs, at concentrations higher than IC50,
decreased cell proliferation and showed increased cytotoxicity toward SKOV-3
cells. The colony-formation ability was reduced after treatment with digoxin
and digitoxin for 10 days. Furthermore, we explored the effect of digoxin
and digitoxin on the distribution of cell cycle by flow cytometry. Results: Results revealed that both digoxin and digitoxin led to cell cycle arrest in
G0/G1 phase with 24 or 48 hours, but the arrest of
G0/G1 phase was not observed at 72 hours. We
evaluated the percentage of hypodiploid cell population as an index of the
cellular fragments through flow cytometry. The data indicated that cellular
fragments were significantly increased by treating with digitoxin at the
concentrations of IC50 and 10−6 M for 72 hours. Conclusion: Taken together, these data suggest that CGs decreased cell proliferation and
increased cytotoxicity through cell cycle arrest at the
G0/G1 phase. CGs have anti-tumor effect in SKOV-3
cells and might be a potential therapeutic drug for ovarian cancer. Since
this study is a preliminary investigation of CGs on SKOV-3 cells, more
experiments might be performed in the future. Furthermore, more ovarian
cancer cell lines might also be employed in the future studies to confirm
the effect of CGs in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jou-Chun Chou
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung
| | - Jie-Hau Li
- Department of Physiology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei
| | - Chih-Chieh Chen
- Department of Physiology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei.,Department of Nutrition, China Medical University, Taichung
| | - Chien-Wei Chen
- College of Human Development and Health, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei
| | - Ho Lin
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung
| | - Paulus S Wang
- Department of Physiology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei.,Medical Center of Aging Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung.,Department of Biotechnology, College of Health Science, Asia University, Taichung.,Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei
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Cho YM, Chou JC, Fang CM, Hu S, Wang KL, Wang SW, Wang PS. Chronic intermittent hypoxia stimulates testosterone production in rat Leydig cells. Life Sci 2019; 233:116694. [PMID: 31351970 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.116694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The hypoxia-stimulated response of the endocrine system depends on the kind and duration of hypoxia. Hypoxia has been reported to stimulate testosterone (T) production in rats, but the mechanisms remain to be investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Male rats were divided into two groups. The rats exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) at 8 h/day were housed in a hypoxic chamber (12% O2) for 14 days. Normoxic rats were used as control animals. T was measured after challenging the rat Leydig cells (LCs) with different stimulators, including hCG (0.01 IU/ml), forskolin (10-5 M), 8-bromo-cAMP (10-4 M), A23187 (10-5 M), cyclopiazonic acid (10-4 M), and androstenedione (10-8 M). Meanwhile, the LCs were incubated with trilostane (10-5 M) and/or 25-OH-hydroxycholesterol (10-5 M); thereafter the media were collected for pregnenolone assay. KEY FINDINGS In the CIH group, plasma T levels were increased, but the serum luteinizing hormone (LH) was decreased. Furthermore, at several time intervals after hCG injection, plasma T levels were higher in the CIH group. The evoked-release of T and pregnenolone were significantly increased in the CIH group. Compared with the normoxic group, the CIH group had higher mRNA and protein expression levels of the LH receptor and CYP11A1 but not StAR. The plasma and testicular microvasculature VEGF levels were increased in the CIH group. The testicular vessel distribution was more obvious in CIH rats. SIGNIFICANCE CIH-induced T secretion might be partially mediated by mechanisms involving the induction of LH receptor expression, testicular angiogenesis, CYP11A1 activity, 17β-HSD activity, and calcium-related pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Min Cho
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; Center for East West Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - Jou-Chun Chou
- Department of Life Science, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40254, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Mei Fang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
| | - Sindy Hu
- Anesthetic Medical Center, Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33378, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, College of Medicine Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Lee Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Ching Kuo Institute of Management and Health, Keelung City 20301, Taiwan.
| | - Shyi-Wu Wang
- Anesthetic Medical Center, Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33378, Taiwan; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
| | - Paulus S Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; Medical Center of Aging Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Department of Biotechnology, College of Health Science, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan.
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Cho YM, Pu HF, Huang WJ, Ho LT, Wang SW, Wang PS. Role of serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase-1 in regulating torsion-induced apoptosis in rats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 34:379-89. [PMID: 20738430 PMCID: PMC3170482 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2010.01091.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase-1 (SGK1) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that responds to various stimuli and mediates cell survival. Although it is known that testicular torsion leads to testicular damage and male infertility, the role of SGK1 in torsion remains unclear. This study investigated whether torsion-induced apoptosis is associated with changes in phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1), SGK1 and forkhead transcription factor FOXO3a expression and/or phosphorylation in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: sham (control), 1, 2 and 4 h of unilateral torsion. Bilateral testes, testicular interstitial fluid (TIF) and blood samples were collected immediately after torsion. Our results revealed that SGK1 protein and mRNA were abundantly present in testes and were induced by 2 h of torsion, but that phosphorylation of SGK1, PDK1 and FOXO3a decreased simultaneously. After 2 h of torsion, the testosterone secretion capacity of the primary Leydig cells and testicular interstitial cells (TICs) was impaired and apoptotic spermatogonia and TICs were observed; in addition, the mean seminiferous tubular diameter was decreased. Torsion increased plasma corticosterone levels, but decreased plasma luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels. However, the testosterone levels of the TIF in the ipsilateral testes were significantly enhanced after 2 h of torsion, but suppressed in the contralateral testes. This animal study suggests that PDK1, SGK1 and FOXO3a are involved in torsion-induced apoptosis and that medical therapy should be performed as early as 2 h after the occurrence of torsion to prevent further damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y-M Cho
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Kau MM, Kan SF, Wang JR, Wang PS, Lau YT, Wang SW. Acute effects of digoxin on plasma aldosterone and cortisol in monkeys. Metabolism 2009; 58:55-61. [PMID: 19059531 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2008.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2008] [Accepted: 08/08/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Digoxin, a cardiac glycoside, is used to increase cardiac contractility via inhibition of Na(+)/K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) and increase intracellular calcium in congestive heart failure. Inhibitory effects of digoxin have been demonstrated on the biosynthesis of gonadal hormones and adrenal glucocorticoids in rats. However, acute effects of digoxin on levels of adrenal corticosteroid hormones in the primates in vivo are uncertain. Therefore, we test the hypothesis that a single injection of digoxin decreases the secretion of aldosterone and cortisol in monkeys. An intravenous injection of digoxin (1 microg/kg) inhibited basal and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)- or KCl-stimulated aldosterone release in monkeys. Furthermore, digoxin induced a decrease in ACTH- and KCl-stimulated cortisol release. Administration of digoxin did not alter plasma concentrations of Na(+) and K(+). Ouabain, a selective inhibitor of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, did not affect ACTH- or KCl-stimulated aldosterone and cortisol release. These results revealed that injection of digoxin induced an inhibitory effect on aldosterone and cortisol secretion in monkeys. Because ouabain did not affect levels of plasma aldosterone or cortisol, we suggest that (1) the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase pathway may not be involved in the mechanism of action of digoxin on aldosterone or cortisol secretion in monkeys and/or (2) the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase is more sensitive to digoxin than to ouabain in monkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Mei Kau
- National Taipei College of Nursing, Taipei 112, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Pu HF, Wang SW, Tseng CI, Huang HL, Lin CW, Hsu JM, Chen MJ, Chow YC, Wang PS. Mechanisms of digoxin and digitoxin on the production of corticosterone in zona fasciculata-reticularis cells of ovariectomized rats. J Cell Biochem 2006; 97:303-13. [PMID: 16175571 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.20603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have indicated that digoxin (DG) inhibits testosterone production by rat testicular interstitial cells through both in vivo and in vitro experiments. DG and digitoxin (DT), but not ouabain, inhibit the progesterone, pregnenolone, and corticosterone secretion by rat granulosa cells, luteal cells, and zona fasciculata-reticularis (ZFR) cells, respectively. However, the effect of DG and DT on the enzyme kinetics of cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), the protein expression of P450scc and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), and mRNA expression of StAR are unclear. ZFR cells were prepared from adrenocortical tissues of ovariectomized rats, and then challenged with adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), 8-Br-cAMP, forskolin, A23187, cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP), trilostane, 25-OH-Cholesterol, progesterone, or deoxycorticosterone in the presence of DG, DT, or ouabain for 1 h. Enzyme kinetics of P450scc, protein expression of acute regulatory protein (StAR) and P450scc, and mRNA expression of StAR were investigated. DG and DT but not ouabain suppressed basal and other evoked-corticosterone release significantly. DG and DT also inhibited pregnenolone production. The Vmax of the DG and DT group was the same as the control group, but the Km was higher in DG- and DT-treated group than in control group. DT and ouabain significant suppressed mRNA expression of StAR. DG and DT had no effect on the P450scc and StAR protein expression at basal state, but diminished ACTH-induced StAR protein expression to basal level. These results indicated that DG and DT have an inhibitory effect on corticosterone production via a Na+, K+-ATPase-independent mechanism by diminishing actions on cAMP-, Ca2+-pathway, competitive inhibition of P450scc enzyme and reduction of StAR mRNA expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiao-Fung Pu
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei.
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Wang SW, Pu HF, Kan SF, Tseng CI, Lo MJ, Wang PS. Inhibitory effects of digoxin and digitoxin on corticosterone production in rat zona fasciculata-reticularis cells. Br J Pharmacol 2004; 142:1123-30. [PMID: 15249423 PMCID: PMC1575169 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0705777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the direct effects and action mechanisms of digitalis on the production of corticosterone in rat adrenocortical cells. Male rats were challenged with digoxin (1 microg ml(-1) kg(-1)) in the presence or absence of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH, 5 microg ml(-1) kg(-1)) administered by intravenous injection to the right jugular vein. Blood samples were collected at 0, 30, 60, and 120 min following the challenge. The concentration of corticosterone in the rat plasma samples was measured by radioimmunoassay. Zona fasciculata-reticularis (ZFR) cells in male rats were prepared and then incubated with or without digoxin or digitoxin in the presence or absence of ACTH (10(-9) m), forskolin (10(-7) m), 8-bromo-cyclic 3' : 5'-adenosine monophosphate (10(-4) m), cyclopiazonic acid (CPA, 10(-5) m), trilostane (10(-6) m), 25-OH-cholesterol (10(-5) m), pregnenolone (10(-5) m), progesterone (10(-5) m), or deoxycorticosterone (10(-5) m) at 37 degrees C for 1 h before collection of the media. Corticosterone or pregnenolone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. A single injection of digoxin did not alter the basal level of plasma corticosterone, but did inhibit the level of plasma corticosterone released in response to ACTH in vivo. Administration of digoxin or digitoxin decreased both spontaneous and ACTH-stimulated release of corticosterone in vitro. Digoxin (10(-7)-10(-5) m) and digitoxin (10(-7)-10(-5) m), but not ouabain (10(-7)-10(-5) m), dose-dependently inhibited corticosterone production in response to forskolin and 8-Br-cyclic AMP in rat ZFR cells. Both digoxin (10(-6)-10(-5) m) and digitoxin (10(-6)-10(-5) m) attenuated corticosterone production in response to CPA. Digoxin (10(-5) m) or digitoxin (10(-5) m) inhibited cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (cytochrome P450scc) activity (catalyses conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone in the presence of trilostane) in rat ZFR cells. The enzyme activity of 11 beta-hydroxylase (catalyses conversion of deoxycorticosterone to corticosterone) in ZFR cells was also inhibited by the administration of digoxin (10(-5) m) or digitoxin (10(-5) m).10 These results together suggest that digoxin and digitoxin decrease the release of corticosterone by acting directly on ZFR cells via a Na+, K+-ATPase-independent mechanism involving the inhibition of the activities of adenylyl cyclase, cytochrome P450scc and 11 beta-hydroxylase, as well as the functioning of cyclic AMP and intracellular calcium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyi-Wu Wang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan, Republic of China.
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Broglio F, Benso A, Gottero C, Vito LD, Granata R, Arvat E, Bobbio M, Trevi G, Ghigo E. Effect of digoxin on the somatotroph responsiveness to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) alone or combined with arginine in normal young volunteers. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2001; 55:755-8. [PMID: 11895217 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2265.2001.01405.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The activity of the GH/IGF-I axis, known to play a major role in myocardial structure and function, has been reported to be altered in patients with chronic heart failure. AIM AND DESIGN OF THE STUDY In order to evaluate the possibility that clinically used cardioactive drugs may exert neuroendocrine influences on somatotroph secretion, we studied the effects of pretreatment with enalapril (20 mg/day orally for 3 days), furosemide (20 mg i.v. as a bolus at -5 minutes) or digoxin (0.25 mg orally 4x/day for 3 days) on the GH response to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) (1.0 microg/ kg i.v. as a bolus at 0 minutes) in 12 healthy male adults (age [mean +/- SEM] 30.2 +/- 1.4 years; BMI 22.7 +/- 0.7 kg/ m2). In a subgroup of 8 subjects the same study was performed testing the GH response to GHRH + arginine (ARG; 0.5 g/kg i.v. from 0 to + 30 minutes). RESULTS The GH response to GHRH (1,304.1 +/- 248-5 microg/l/h) was not modified by enalapril (1,368.7 +/- 171.2 microg/l/h) or by furosemide (1,269.3 +/- 185.2 microg/l/h) but was significantly blunted by digoxin (613.6 +/- 73.2 microg/l/h, P < 0.05). On the other hand digoxin, enalapril and furosemide did not modify the GH response to GHRH +ARG. CONCLUSIONS Digoxin, but not enalapril or furosemide, inhibits the GH response to GHRH in normal subjects. The blunting effect of digoxin on the GHRH-induced GH response is counteracted by arginine. These findings show that digoxin possesses an inhibitory effect on somatotroph secretion that may be mediated at the hypothalamic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Broglio
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Italy
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