Beyond platinum: synthesis, characterization, and in vitro toxicity of Cu(II)-releasing polymer nanoparticles for potential use as a drug delivery vector

Effect of Copper-Containing Stainless Steel on Apoptosis of Coronary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells

Background:

We aimed to investigate the effect of copper stainless steel on apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells in coronary artery.

Methods:

The study was carried out in 2019 at Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China. The rat coronary artery smooth muscle cell was used for cell resuscitation and culture. MTT method was used to visualize cell growth curve and to detect the cell survival and growth. The incubated cells were randomly divided into copper-containing stainless-steel group, ordinary stainless-steel group, and control group. The cells were made into single cell suspension, which were intervened by experimental group and incubated in incubator with CO2 for 48 hours. TUNEL method was used to detect the apoptosis. The number of apoptotic cells in five high power fields (×200) was counted. The expression of Fas protein in three groups of cells was detected by Western blot.

Results:

The growth curves of rat coronary artery smooth muscle cells showed that the OD value of the cells reached the plateau 7 days after inoculation, indicating that the cells grew well. TUNEL staining showed the apoptosis in all three groups. The apoptotic index in copper-containing group was significantly higher than that in common stainless-steel group (P <0.01). The results of the Fas protein expression level through Western blot showed that the level in the copper-containing group was significantly higher than that in the common stainless-steel group (P<0.01).

Conclusion:

Copper-containing stainless steel can promote apoptosis of coronary artery smooth muscle cells. The material could prevent stent restenosis.

Cytotoxic, pro-apoptotic, pro-oxidant, and non-genotoxic activities of a novel copper(II) complex against human cervical cancer

Cisplatin remains one of the most effective current chemotherapeutic agents; however, metal complexes synthesis has increased in order to produce new anti-neoplastic drugs with DNA binding and apoptotic activities in tumor cells and less toxicity for patients. In this study, we evaluated the cytotoxic activity of a novel copper(II) complex (LQM402) against cervical cancer cell lines and found that LQM402 exhibited selective cytotoxicity against HeLa and Ca Ski cells. FITC-annexin assay and DNA fragmentation indicated that apoptosis could be involved in HeLa cell death. Caspase 3/7 and cytochrome c analysis by immunoblotting suggest the intrinsic pathway. LQM402 is a lipid peroxidation inductor according to TBARS production. Additionally, the Ames and micronucleus tests demonstrated non-genotoxic activity for this compound in Salmonella typhimurium and CD1 mice, respectively. Therefore, LQM402 may be a promising and safe anti-cervical cancer compound.