Astaxanthin decreases the growth-inhibitory dose of cytarabine and inflammatory response in the acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line NALM-6

n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids enhanced efficacy of cytarabine in iron-overloaded NALM-6 cells via apoptotic and oxidative pathways

Despite progress in treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the adverse effects of chemotherapy toxicity and iron overload from transfusions continue to affect patients' quality of life. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) exhibit both antitumor and anti-inflammatory properties in leukemia. This study investigated the influence of n-3 PUFA on the efficacy of cytarabine in cells with iron overload. Iron overload was induced in NALM-6 cells using ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) and quantified through atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The impact of n-3 PUFA on NALM-6 cells' response to cytarabine was evaluated using MTT, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), apoptosis, and cell cycle assays. Additionally, gene expression analyses were performed on apoptotic, anti-apoptotic, and inflammatory genes, along with oxidative stress markers such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The administration of n-3 PUFA significantly enhanced the effectiveness of cytarabine in iron-overloaded NALM-6 cells, leading to increased LDH secretion, elevated apoptosis rates, and G1 phase cell cycle arrest. These effects were associated with the upregulation of apoptotic genes such as P53 and caspase-8, the downregulation of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl2, and a decrease in the inflammatory gene TNF-α. Furthermore, there was a notable increase in ROS and MDA levels. Overall, n-3 PUFA treatment improved cytarabine's efficacy in iron-overloaded NALM-6 cells by activating apoptotic processes and oxidative stress pathways.

Advancements in small interfering RNAs therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia: promising results and future perspectives

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of cancer among children, presenting significant healthcare challenges for some patients, including drug resistance and the need for targeted therapies. SiRNA-based therapy is one potential solution, but problems can arise in administration and the need for a delivery system to protect siRNA during intravenous injection. Additionally, siRNA encounters instability and degradation in the reticuloendothelial system, off-target effects, and potential immune system stimulation. Despite these limitations, some promising results about siRNA therapy in ALL patients have been published in recent years, showing the potential for more effective and precise treatment, reduced side effects, and personalized approaches. While siRNA-based therapies demonstrate safety and efficacy, addressing the mentioned limitations is crucial for further optimization. Advancements in siRNA-delivery technologies and combination therapies hold promise to improve treatment effectiveness and overcome drug resistance. Ultimately, despite its challenges, siRNA therapy has the potential to revolutionize ALL treatments and improve patient outcomes.

The impact of exosomes derived from B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia as a growth factor on bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells

Background The incidence of various types of cancers, including leukemia, is on the rise and many challenges in both drug resistance and complications related to chemotherapy appeared. Recently, the development and application of extracellular vesicles (EV) such as exosomes in the management of cancers, especially leukemia, holds great significance. In this article, we extracted exosomes from NALM6 cells and assessed their regulatory effects on proliferation and apoptosis in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Method and result We first verified the exosomes using various techniques, including flow cytometry, transient electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and BCA protein assay. Then MTT analysis and flowcytometry (apoptosis and cell cycle assay) besides gene expressions were employed to determine the state of MSC proliferations. The results indicated that exosome-specific pan markers like CD9, CD63, and CD81 were present. Through DLS, we found out that the mean size of the exosomes was 89.68 nm. The protein content was determined to be 956.292 µg/ml. Analysis of MTT, flow cytometry (cell cycle and apoptosis assay), and RT-qPCR showed that in the dose of 50 µg/ml the proliferation of MSCs was increased significantly (p-value < 0.05). Conclusion All these data showed that exosomes use several signaling pathways to increase the MSCs' proliferation and drug resistance, ultimately leading to high mortalities and morbidities of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Comparing Pharmacological Potential of Freshwater Microalgae Carotenoids Towards Antioxidant and Anti-proliferative Activity on Liver Cancer (HUH7) Cell Line

Chemical-based carotenoids have large implications to health as they may cause adverse side effects. Naturally occurring carotenoids mainly from microalgal sources are emerging as excellent substitute to combat cancer diseases. Astaxanthin is the most powerful antioxidant that derived from selected established microalgae with limited yield. Microalgal bioprospecting may provide the high-yielding sources for astaxanthin production. Hence, in the present research, freshwater microalgae Monoraphidium sp. (NCM no. 5585) and Scenedesmus obliquus (NCM no. 5586) were chosen to explore the unique potential of producing astaxanthin. Identification of bioactive metabolites in extracted carotenoid was analyzed through HPLC. Astaxanthin is identified as a major bioactive metabolite in both carotenoid fraction and β carotene only in Scenedesmus obliquus. Antioxidant potential of microalgal carotenoids was obtained by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The anti-proliferation activity of the extracted carotenoid from Monoraphidium sp. and Scenedesmus obliquus was evaluated against hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line HUH7 by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay. Higher astaxanthin in Monoraphidium sp. leads to boosted antioxidant and anti-proliferation activity contrary to Scenedesmus obliquus that possess both astaxanthin and β carotene. Though freshwater microalgae have a huge potential to create beneficial metabolites like carotenoids, they are rarely studied in the pharmaceutical industry. This work was the first to investigate the anti-proliferative activity of Monoraphidium sp. and Scenedesmus obliquus carotenoid fraction on the HUH7 hepatocarcinoma cell line.

"Combination treatments of imatinib with astaxanthin and crocin efficiently ameliorate antioxidant status, inflammation and cell death progression in imatinib-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia cells"

BACKGROUND

Imatinib resistance remains a major obstacle in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Crocin (CRC) and astaxanthin (ATX) are phytochemicals with anti-cancer properties.

AIMS

This study aimed to explore the effects of combination treatment of Imatinib with CRC and ATX on Imatinib-resistant K562 (IR-K562) cells.

METHODS AND RESULTS

After the establishment of IR-K562 cells, growth inhibitory activity was determined by the MTT assay. To test the regeneration potential, a colony formation assay was performed. Cell cycle analyses were examined by flow cytometry. Cell injury was evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage. Real-time PCR was applied to assess the expression of IL6, TNF-α, STAT3, BAD, CASP3, TP53, and Bcl-2 genes. Caspase-3 activity was determined by a colorimetric assay. Antioxidant activity was measured using a diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. After 48 h of treatment, ATX (IC50 = 30µM) and CRC (IC50 = 190µM) significantly inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation ability, induced G1 cell cycle arrest and cell injury, upregulated the expression of apoptosis-associated genes, and downregulated the expression of anti-apoptotic and inflammatory genes. The combination of IM with ATX and/or CRC synergistically reduced cell viability (combination index [CI] < 1).

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that IM shows better therapeutic efficacy at lower doses when combined with ATX and/or CRC.

Glucose increases proliferation and chemoresistance in chronic myeloid leukemia via decreasing antioxidant Properties of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the presence of Iron

BACKGROUND

There is a strong association between hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, inflammation and the onset and progression of diabetes which causes a higher risk of cancer. This study investigated, the effect of concomitant use of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) with iron supplements in hyper-glucose conditions on the K-562 cell line.

METHODS

The effects of iron, ω-3 PUFAs, and a combination of both on K-562 cells were investigated under normal and high glucose conditions. The impact of these treatments was evaluated using multiple methodologies, including the MTT assay for cell viability, quantification of oxidative stress markers [total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA)], and analysis of the cell cycle. Furthermore, the expression levels of TNFα and p53 mRNA were measured using Real-time PCR.

RESULTS

The co-treatment of ω-3 PUFAs and iron in the presence of high glucose had notable effects, as evidenced by an increase in cell survival, resistance to imatinib chemotherapy, TNFαmRNA expression levels, MDA levels, and percentage of cells in the G2/S phase. Additionally, there was a decrease in the mRNA expression of p53 and TAC levels compared to treatment in the normal-glucose condition.

CONCLUSION

Hyperglycemic conditions in conjunction with the combined treatment of theω-3 PUFAs and iron, led to reduced anticancer capacity, chemosensitivity, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the K-562 cells. These effects were found to be mediated by oxidative stress.