Iron accumulation in the liver of male patients with Wilson's disease

OBJECTIVES

There is accumulating evidence that ceruloplasmin, a copper protein with ferroxidase activity, plays an important role in iron metabolism. The genetic disorder, aceruloplasminemia, can lead to tissue storage of iron as in hemochromatosis. Because most patients with Wilson's disease, a genetic copper toxicosis, have hypoceruloplasminemia, some could be affected by iron overload.

METHODS

Four male patients with Wilson's disease were enrolled in this study of pre- and post-treatment iron metabolism.

RESULTS

Pretreatment copper contents of the liver were high in all four male patients studied as diagnostic of Wilson's disease. Genetic analysis supported their clinical diagnosis of Wilson's disease without a background of hemochromatosis. Pretreatment serum ceruloplasmin levels were <20 mg/dl in all four patients. A standard penicillamine treatment for 3-8.5 yr further decreased their serum ceruloplasmin levels. Post-treatment serum ferroxidase activity was low as was the serum ceruloplasmin protein. Copper contents in the liver decreased after treatment in all subjects. In contrast, nonheme iron in the liver increased during treatment. Pretreatment liver specimens were positive for histochemical iron in two patients, and post-treatment specimens were positive in all four patients. In two patients, serum aminotransferase levels rebounded with elevation of serum ferritin concentration during the treatment period. Subsequent iron reduction by phlebotomy ameliorated their biochemical liver damage.

CONCLUSION

Iron overload related to hypoceruloplasminemia may be clinically important, particularly in male patients with Wilson's disease.

C282Y and H63D mutations in the HFE gene have no effect on iron overload disorders in Japan

OBJECTIVE

The gene responsible for hereditary hemochromatosis close to the human leukocyte antigen A locus was previously identified and designated as HFE. This study was performed to evaluate the clinical significance of two mutations, C282Y and H63D of HFE, in Japanese patients with hepatic iron overload.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We examined C282Y and H63D in 11 patients with primary hemochromatosis, 94 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 54 patients with miscellaneous liver diseases, and 151 healthy volunteers. The HFE gene region of DNA samples extracted from peripheral leukocytes was amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Restriction enzyme analysis was performed using SnaBI for C282Y and BclI for H63D. Direct sequence analysis was then performed when products suggested the presence of a mutation.

RESULTS

All the subjects studied were free from C282Y. None of the patients with hemochromatosis had H63D. One patient with chronic hepatitis C was homozygous, and 4 patients were heterozygous for H63D. Two patients with alcoholic liver disease were heterozygous for H63D. The prevalence of chromosomes with H63D was 6/188 (3.2%) in patients with chronic hepatitis C, 2/108 (1.9%) in patients with miscellaneous liver diseases, and 8/302 (2.6%) in healthy volunteers. These differences were not significant.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that neither C282Y nor H63D in HFE affect Japanese patients with hemochromatosis or chronic hepatitis C.

Protein kinase C-mediated down-regulation of MDR3 mRNA expression in Chang liver cells

MDR3 is a phospholipid translocator homologous to MDR1 P-glycoprotein. MDR3 localizes to the canalicular membrane and contributes to the secretion of bile. To elucidate the role of protein kinase C in the regulation of MDR3 gene expression, we investigated the effect of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) on the level of MDR3 mRNA in human Chang liver cells by a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method. The steady-state expression of MDR3 mRNA was decreased by PMA after treatment for 8-20 hr and at concentrations of 1-100 nM. PMA also decreased the doxorubicin-induced expression of MDR3 mRNA. 4alpha-Phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, a negative control compound, did not decrease the expression at these concentrations. The down-regulatory effect of PMA was partially suppressed by the protein kinase C inhibitors 2-[1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)maleimide (GF109203X) and calphostin C. Furthermore, cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, antagonized the effect of PMA. From these results, it was suggested that the level of MDR3 mRNA was negatively regulated by a protein kinase C- and protein synthesis-dependent system and that the system regulated both the stable and inducible expression of MDR3 mRNA.

Body iron stores and iron restoration rate in Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C as measured during therapeutic iron removal revealed neither increased body iron stores nor effects of C282Y and H63D mutations on iron indices

Information on the level of iron stores in chronic hepatitis C is clinically important because its reduction is technically simple and therapeutically effective. This study was performed to measure the levels of iron stores from the total amounts of hemoglobin removed during iron reduction therapy. The C282Y and H63D mutations of HFE gene were analyzed in 94 patients. All of the patients were negative for C282Y mutation. One patient was homozygous, and 4 patients were heterozygous for H63D mutation. The body iron stores and iron restoration rate were measured in 59 patients in serial courses of iron reduction therapy. Mean values of body iron stores in the two groups with and without H63D mutation were 890 and 606 mg, while those of iron restoration rate were 1.85 and 1.52 mg/day, respectively. None of the indices of iron metabolism were different from the reference values measured similarly in healthy subjects, suggesting that the iron deposition in chronic hepatitis C is limited to the liver, probably due to changes in the iron distribution in tissues.

Ultrastructural identification of iron and copper accumulation in the liver of a male patient with Wilson disease

There is accumulating evidence that ceruloplasmin, a copper-containing protein with ferroxidase activity, plays an important role in iron metabolism. Reduction of ferroxidase activity secondary to ceruloplasmin deficiency may induce iron accumulation in various organs as the result of impaired iron transport. A 37-year-old man presented with intention tremor of the right hand. Liver function tests were almost normal, but parameters of trace elements were abnormal: hypocupremia, hypoceruloplaminemia, and hyperferritinemia. Imaging of the abdomen showed a cirrhotic liver with increased density. A diagnosis of the neurological form of Wilson disease was confirmed by copper deposits in the liver obtained by a blind biopsy, and the patient was diagnosed as compound heterozygous for ATP7B mutations. He was treated with 2500 mg/day trientine hydrochloride per os. The second examination was performed after 20 months of treatment. The treatment further reduced serum ceruloplasmin level from 8.9 to less than 4.0 mg/dl. Serum ferroxidase activity was as low as 70 U/l during treatment. Posttreatment liver histology became negative for copper but remained positive for iron. Copper X-rays from hepatocyte lysosomes were no longer detected, but the iron X-ray was still very high post treatment. Thus, microanalysis confirmed compound overload of copper and iron in this male patient with Wilson disease.

In vitro anti-multidrug resistance activities of acyclic and cyclic disulfonamides in murine leukemia cells

We synthesized seven acyclic ethylenedisulfonamides and twelve cyclic disulfonamides, 1, 5-bis(arenesulfonyl)-1, 3, 5-triazacycloheptanes, and compared their in vitro anti-multidrug resistance effects in P388/ADR multidrug-resistant cells which overexpress the multidrug transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Acyclic disulfonamides with 4-methoxyphenyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, or isoquinolyl groups hardly influenced the sensitivity of P388/ADR cells to vinblastine (VLB), and cyclic disulfonamides with these aryl groups only slightly increased the sensitivity to VLB. Acyclic or cyclic disulfonamides with 4-chlorophenyl or naphthyl groups moderately potentiated the effect of VLB. The maximum effect was observed with 1, 5-bis(1-naphthale-nesulfonyl)-1, 3, 5-triazacycloheptan (B3). B3 enhanced the effects of vincristine, adriamycin, daunomycin and actinomycin D in P388/ADR cells, but not in sensitive P388 cells. B3 increased intracellular concentrations of VLB and adriamycin in P388/ADR cells. The expression of P-gp in P388/ADR cells was not affected by cultivation with B3 for 72 hours. These results indicated that the anti-multidrug resistance activities of B3 were dependent on its inhibitory effect on P-gp.

Establishment by adriamycin exposure of multidrug-resistant rat ascites hepatoma AH130 cells showing low DT-diaphorase activity and high cross resistance to mitomycins

A resistant subline (AH130/5A) selected from rat hepatoma AH130 cells after exposure to adriamycin (ADM) showed remarkable resistance to multiple antitumor drugs, including mitomycin C (MMC) and porfiromycin (PFM). PFM, vinblastine (VLB), and ADM accumulated in AH130/5A far less than in the parent AH130 (AH130/P) cells. AH130/5A cells showed overexpression of P-glycoprotein (PGP), an increase in glutathione S-transferase activity, and a decrease in DT-diaphorase and glutathione peroxidase activity. The resistance to MMC and VLB of AH130/5A cells was partly reversed by H-87, an inhibitor of PGP. Buthionine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of glutathione synthase, did not affect the action of MMC. tert-Butylhydroquinone induced DT-diaphorase activity, increased PFM uptake, and enhanced the growth-inhibitory action of MMC in AH130/5A cells. Dicumarol, an inhibitor of DT-diaphorase, decreased PFM uptake and reduced the growth-inhibitory action of MMC in AH130/P cells. These results indicated that the adriamycin treatment of hepatoma cells caused multifactorial multidrug resistance involving a decrease in DT-diaphorase activity.

Inhibition of P-glycoprotein-dependent multidrug resistance by an isoquinolinesulfonamide compound H-87 in rat ascites hepatoma AH66 cells

The effects of an isoquinolinesulfonamide compound, H-87, on naturally acquired multidrug-resistance (MDR) in rat hepatoma AH66 cells were examined. AH66 cells were highly resistant to vinblastine, SN-38, an active camptothecin analog, adriamycin, and etoposide, compared with the sensitive variant AH66F cells. Although H-87 hardly affected the sensitivities to antitumor agents of AH66F cells, this compound completely inhibited the resistance to vinblastine, moderately inhibited the resistance to SN-38 and adriamycin and had little effect on etoposide, mitomycin C, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil. H-87 significantly decreased the efflux of vinblastine from the resistant cells and increased the drug accumulation. SN-38 and adriamycin also exhibited a weak but significant increase in vinblastine accumulation in AH66 cells. H-87 inhibited [3H]azidopine-photolabeling to 160 kDa P-glycoprotein in the plasma membrane of AH66 cells, as reported in acquired MDR leukemic cells. Consequently, the MDR-overcoming effect of H-87 seems to be due to its direct inhibition of the binding of antitumor agents on P-glycoprotein in the plasma membrane.

Characterization of naturally acquired multiple-drug resistance of Yoshida rat ascites hepatoma AH66 cell line

Characteristics of multiple-drug resistance of rat ascites hepatoma AH66, a cell line induced by dimethylaminoazobenzene and established as a transplantable tumor, were compared with those of AH66F, a drug sensitive line obtained from AH66. The AH66 cell line was resistant to vinblastine, adriamycin, SN-38 an active form of camptothesine, etoposide, and clorambucil by 10-fold or more than the AH66F cell line. The resistance of AH66 cells to vinblastine, adriamycin, and SN-38 was closely related to P-glycoprotein overexpression in the plasma membrane, because the resistance was significantly inhibited by verapamil. AH66 cells contained much glutahione and had a high activity of glutathione S-transferase P-form (GST-P), compared with AH66F cells, and resistance to clorambucil was decreased by treatment with buthionine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis. AH66 cells have a similar topoisomerase I activity, but about 6 times lower topoisomerase II activity than AH66F cells. Therefore, the resistance to etoposide and a part of the resistance to adriamycin of AH66 cells seems to depend upon this low topoisomerase II activity. These results, show that the AH66 cell line has high multiple-drug resistance compared with the AH66F cell line, by several mechanisms. Consequently, the AH66 and AH66F cell lines are useful to study naturally acquired multiple-drug resistance of hepatomas.

Novel inhibitors for multidrug resistance: 1,3,5-triazacycloheptanes

1,3,5-Triazacycloheptanes were synthesized and examined for reversal of the multidrug resistance dependent on P-glycoprotein. Most of these compounds increased the intracellular uptake of vinblastine in multidrug-resistant mouse leukemia P388/ADR cells without influence upon the vinblastine accumulation in P388/S cells. The efficacy of 1,5-dibenzyl-1,3,5-triazacycloheptanes in increasing the vinblastine accumulation was in the order of 2,4-dithioxo (5) > 2-oxo-4-thioxo (4) approximately 4-(methylthio)-2-oxo (6) > 2,4-dioxo (2). The efficacy was further increased when the benzyl group was converted to a chlorobenzyl group. Among these compounds, 6c [1,5-bis(4-chlorobenzyl)-1,5,6,7-terahydro-4-(methylthio)-2H-1,3,5 - triazepin-2-one] potentiated the in vitro cell growth-inhibitory effect of vinblastine, adriamycin, and mitomycin C on P388/ADR cells and prolonged the life span of P388/ADR-bearing mice in combined therapy with vinblastine more than vinblastine alone.

Antitumour effects and pharmacokinetics of combination of vinblastine with a staurosporine derivative, NA-382, in P388/ADR-bearing mice

The effects of a staurosporine derivative, N-ethoxycarbonyl-7-oxostaurosporine (NA-382), on the pharmacokinetics of vinblastine were evaluated, compared with those of verapamil, in multidrug-resistant P388/ADR-bearing mice. At first, the in-vitro experiments indicated that NA-382 permeated into the cells better and were more effective in combined cytotoxicity with vinblastine and on accumulation of vinblastine than with verapamil in P388/ADR cells. In combined intraperitoneal injection with vinblastine (200 micrograms kg-1) into P388/ADR-bearing mice, NA-382 in a suspension form (10 mg kg-1) prolonged the life-span of the mice near to that of P388/S-bearing mice treated with vinblastine alone, but verapamil even at the maximum tolerated dosage (30 mg kg-1) barely affected the in-vivo antitumour effect of vinblastine. When simultaneously administered with vinblastine to P388/ADR-bearing mice, NA-382 maintained significantly higher vinblastine levels in the tumour cells for 24 h and gave a larger area under the time-intracellular vinblastine concentration curve (0 to 24 h) than those receiving vinblastine alone, with long retention of the agent in ascitic fluid. Verapamil increased the cellular vinblastine content for only 6 h, accompanying a rapid elimination of the agent from the ascitic fluid. This study indicates that NA-382 is more effective against multidrug-resistance than verapamil, and its suspension is also advantageous for cancer chemotherapy of multidrug-resistant tumours.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase isoenzymes in guinea-pig tracheal muscle and bronchorelaxation by alkylxanthines

In this study the phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoenzymes in guinea-pig trachealis smooth muscle were separated by DEAE-Sepharose anion exchange chromatography, identified, and characterized. Furthermore the effect of theophylline and 1-n-butyl-3-n-propylxanthine (BPX) on the isolated PDE isoenzymes and on their tracheal relaxant effect were investigated and compared with the nonxanthine PDE inhibitors amrinone and Ro 20-1724. We identified five distinct isoenzymes in guinea-pig tracheal muscle; calcium/calmodulin-stimulated cyclic AMP PDE (PDE I), cyclic GMP-stimulated cyclic AMP PDE (PDE II), cyclic GMP-inhibited and amrinone-sensitive cyclic AMP PDE (PDE III), cyclic AMP-specific and Ro 20-1724-sensitive PDE (PDE IV), and cyclic GMP-specific PDE (PDE V). BPX strongly inhibited the PDE IV isoenzyme with high selectivity, while the inhibitory effect of theophylline was weak. The PDE IV inhibitors BPX and Ro 20-1724 synergistically increased the relaxant effect of the beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist salbutamol in carbachol-contracted trachea much more strongly than theophylline. In contrast, amrinone, a PDE III inhibitor, hardly influenced the relaxant effect of salbutamol, suggesting that the PDE IV isoenzyme is functionally associated with beta 2-adrenoceptors in guinea-pig trachea and that inhibition of this enzyme potentiates the ability of salbutamol to increase the intracellular cyclic AMP content. These results indicate that the PDE IV isoenzyme plays a significant role in alkylxanthine-mediated relaxation of guinea-pig trachea.

Four new metabolites of Aspergillus terreus

Four new metabolites (1-4) were isolated from mycelium of Aspergillus terreus IFO 6123 producing asterriquinone (ARQ). The structures of 1 and 2 were shown to be 3,6-bis[1-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propenyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-furo[3,2-b]furan- 2,5-dione (asterridinone) and 2,5-bis[1-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propenyl)-1H-indol-3- yl]-3-acetoxy-6-hydroxy-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dione (ARQ monoacetate), respectively, by the chemical and spectral data. Compounds 3 and 4 were identified with known asterriquinone isomers, 2-[1-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propenyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-5-[2-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)- 1H-indol-3-yl]-3,6-dihydroxy-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dione (isoARQ) and 2,5-bis[2-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-3,6-dihydroxy- 2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dione (neoARQ), respectively.

Structure-activity relationships of diamines, dicarboxamides, and disulfonamides on vinblastine accumulation in P388/ADR cells

Diamines, dicarboxamides, and disulfonamides that have terminal benzene, methyl- or chloro-substituted benzene rings were synthesized and evaluated for the activity of [3H]vinblastine accumulation in multidrug-resistant P388/ADR cells. The efficacy of these compounds was generally in the order of dicarboxamides < diamines < disulfonamides. N-Methylated diamine and disulfonamide compounds having terminal methyl- or chloro-substituted benzene rings in their structure also showed rather potent efficacy. From these findings, we synthesized a novel disulfonamide compound, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-2,5-bis(p-toluenesulfonyl)benzo[2,5]diazocine++ + (22). Compound 22 suppressed the efflux of vinblastine from P388/ADR cells and increased its intracellular accumulation, while it barely increased the vinblastine accumulation in sensitive cells (P388/S). Compound 22 significantly potentiated the growth-inhibitory effects of vinblastine, vincristine, colchicine and Adriamycin against P388/ADR cells in vitro.

Effects of isoquinolinesulphonamide compounds on multidrug-resistant P388 cells

The effects of eight isoquinolinesulphonamide compounds on resistance to vinblastine in adriamycin-resistant mouse leukaemia cells (P388/ADR) which overexpress the relative molecular weight (M(r)) 140 kDa P-glycoprotein in the plasma membrane were investigated. N-[2-(Methylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulphonamide (H-8) and N-(2-aminoethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulphonamide (H-9) did not reverse vinblastine resistance. N-[2-[N-[3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-propenyl]amino] ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulphonamide (H-86) and N-[2-[N-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-2-propenyl] amino]ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulphonamide (H-87) caused accumulation of intracellular vinblastine and inhibition of vinblastine efflux from the cells and reversed the resistance. Addition of an aminoethyl group to the nitrogen atom of the sulphonamide group (W-66) or a formyl group at the terminal amino group (H-85) of H-86 reduced those activities. Conversion of the chlorophenyl group of H-87 to pyridinyl (H-31) or furanyl (H-34) markedly decreased activities against the drug resistance. The activity against vinblastine accumulation closely correlated with the apparent partition coefficient of compounds. These compounds dose-dependently inhibited photoaffinity labelling of a photosensitive analogue of vinblastine, N-(p-azido-(3-[125I)salicyl)-N'-beta-aminoethyl-vindesine ([125I]NASV), and there was a good correlation between inhibition of [125I]NASV-photolabelling and hydrophobicity. Although these isoquinolinesulphonamides inhibited protein kinase A with different magnitudes, this activity did not correlate with the effect on the drug resistance. These results indicate that isoquinolinesulphonamide compounds with a hydrophobic group interact with antitumour drugs on P-glycoprotein and reverse multidrug resistance without involvement of their activity on protein kinase A.

Inhibition of multidrug resistance by a new staurosporine derivative, NA-382, in vitro and in vivo

The effects of a newly synthesized compound, N-ethoxycarbonyl-7-oxo-staurosporine (NA-382), on multidrug resistance in tumor cells were investigated. Protein kinase-inhibitory activity of NA-382 was lower but more selective to Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase than that of staurosporine. NA-382 at noncytotoxic concentrations effectively reversed in vitro multidrug resistance of Adriamycin-resistant P388 (P388/ADR) cells, without influencing the drug sensitivity of sensitive P388 cells. NA-382 inhibited extrusion of vinblastine (VBL) and increased intracellular accumulation of VBL, more in P388/ADR cells than in sensitive P388 cells, with higher potency than staurosporine. This compound also reduced VBL resistance of other multidrug-resistant cell lines, AH66 and K562/ADR, by inhibiting VBL efflux and promoting VBL accumulation. NA-382 also dose dependently potentiated the effects of VBL and Adriamycin in P388/ADR-bearing mice. The toxicity of staurosporine was too high to use the combination with VBL in vitro and in vivo. NA-382 accumulated VBL in P388/ADR cells even after desensitization of Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase by treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and 18 h, while being suppressed by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate added simultaneously or shortly before NA-382. Both staurosporine and NA-382 inhibited the photolabeling of [3H]azidopine on M(r) 140,000 P-glycoprotein in the plasma membrane from P388/ADR cells. These results indicate that this new staurosporine analogue, NA-382, reverses multidrug resistance by directly inhibiting the drug binding to P-glycoprotein, but not by Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase inhibitory action.

Inhibition of the G1/S transition in A65 cells by H-7, a protein kinase C inhibitor

The effects of protein kinase inhibitors on the proliferation of A65 murine leukemia cells were studied. The proliferation of phorbol ester-dependent A65 cells was inhibited by N-(2-methylpiperazyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H-7), a protein kinase C inhibitor, at a significantly lower concentration than the phorbol ester-independent variant, while both cell types had the same sensitivity to N-[2-[N-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-2-propenyl]amino]ethyl]-5- isoquinolinesulfonamide, a selective inhibitor of protein kinase A, and staurosporine, a non-selective inhibitor of protein kinases. When the effect of H-7 on the cell cycle was analysed by flow-cytometry, the agent at concentrations that completely inhibited the cell proliferation significantly increased the proportion in the G0/G1 phase of both cell types but decreased that in the S phase, without much change in the G2/M phase. These results suggest that H-7 blocks the G1/S transition by inhibiting protein kinase C, whether the proliferation is dependent on phorbol ester or not.

Effect of staurosporine derivatives on protein kinase activity and vinblastine accumulation in mouse leukaemia P388/ADR cells

Inhibition by staurosporine derivatives of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase) and protein kinase C (C-kinase), and drug resistance has been investigated. The substitution of an acetyl or an ethoxycarbonyl group for the amine N-ethoxycarbonyl-7-oxostaurosporine moiety on the tetrahydropyran ring of staurosporine decreased inhibition of both protein kinases, but increased selectivity for C-kinase by further modification of the lactam moiety to the imide (NA-382). The activities of SF-2370 on protein kinases were decreased by decarboxylation and hydroxyalkylation. These staurosporine derivatives enhanced accumulation of vinblastine in adriamycin-resistant P388 (P388/ADR) cells in a dose-dependent manner. The potency for the drug accumulation of these compounds was correlated with their inhibitory activity on the drug efflux, but was not correlated with their activity on protein kinases. Staurosporine and NA-382, with high potency for vinblastine accumulation, inhibited the photolabelling of [3H]azidopine on 140 kDa P-glycoprotein in the plasma membrane. The tetrahydrofuran compounds and NA-357, which had low potency for the drug accumulation, hardly interacted with azidopine on P-glycoprotein. Most of these compounds were highly cytotoxic by themselves, and only NA-382 was less cytotoxic among them and completely reversed the vinblastine-resistance of P388/ADR cells at a non-cytotoxic concentration. These results suggest that staurosporine derivatives can enhance drug accumulation and inhibit drug resistance through their direct action on the P-glycoprotein.

Increase of vinblastine accumulation by inhibitors of calmodulin-dependent cell functions in rat ascites hepatoma AH66 cells

ML-9, an inhibitor for myosin light chain kinase, and W-7, a calmodulin inhibitor, suppressed the efflux of vinblastine and increased the intracellular accumulation of vinblastine, but W-5, an inactive compound for calmodulin, did not so in rat ascites hepatoma AH66 cells, which have a multidrug-resistant phenotype. In sensitive counterpart AH66F cells, W-7 and ML-9 were less effective. W-7 and ML-9 did not interfere with [3H]azidopine photolabeling of P-glycoprotein in the plasma membrane from AH66 cells. While P-glycoprotein is reported to be superphosphorylated by protein kinases, W-7 did not influence the phosphorylation of the P-glycoprotein in AH66 cells. There may be an unknown Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent mechanism in the extrusion of vinblastine from AH66 cells.

Sensitivity to antitumor drugs and vinblastine binding to membrane in rat ascites hepatoma AH66 cells

Rat ascites hepatoma AH66 cells have lower sensitivity to Vinca alkaloids and anthracycline antibiotics than AH66F cells, a subline of AH66 cells. AH66 cells expressed P-glycoprotein, while the protein was not detectable in AH66F cells. There are two affinity sites for [3H]vinblastine binding in the AH66 cell membrane, while AH66F cells have only one affinity site. The high affinity [3H]vinblastine binding in AH66 cells was inhibited by Adriamycin, verapamil, nicardipine, and reserpine. The high affinity site of the binding may be the multidrug transporter, P-glycoprotein. [3H]Vinblastine binding was not influenced by adenosine 3'-5'-monophosphate (AMP), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), or guanosine triphosphate (GTP). The multidrug resistance in AH66 cells may depend on P-glycoprotein which is not modulated by nucleotide.

Effect of thrombin treatment of tumor cells on adhesion of tumor cells to platelets in vitro and tumor metastasis in vivo

Seven different tumor cell lines (human melanoma SK MEL 28; hamster melanoma HM29; murine melanomas B16F10 and amelanotic melanoma B16a; human colon carcinoma HCT8; murine colon carcinoma CT26; and murine Lewis lung carcinoma) were treated with thrombin at 0.5-1 unit/ml and examined for their ability to bind to adherent platelets; HM29 was studied for its ability to bind to fibronectin and von Willebrand factor; CT26, B16F1, B16F10, and B16a were studied for their ability to form pulmonary metastasis after i.v. injection of thrombin-treated tumor cells; CT26 was studied for its ability to grow s.c. Five of 7 thrombin-treated tumor cell lines increased their adhesion to adherent platelets 2-to 3-fold. HM29 increased its adherence to fibronectin and von Willebrand factor 2- to 3-fold. CT26, B16F1, B16F10, and B16a increased experimental pulmonary metastasis 10- to 156-fold. Thrombin-treated CT26 cells demonstrated 2-fold greater growth in vivo after s.c. injection. The mechanism of enhanced adhesion of thrombin-treated tumor cells to platelets required the platelet integrin GPIIb-GPIIIa since it could be inhibited by agents known to block adhesion of ligands to GPIIb-GPIIIa (monoclonal antibody 10E5, tetrapeptide RGDS, disintegrin Albolabrin); as well as a "GPIIb-GPIIIa-like" structure on tumor cells since it could be inhibited by treatment of thrombin-treated tumor cells with 10E5 and RGDS. The thrombin effect on tumor cells was optimum at 1 h of incubation with thrombin, did not require active thrombin on the tumor cell surface, and did not require protein synthesis (not inhibited by cycloheximide). Thus, thrombin-treated tumor cells markedly enhance pulmonary metastasis. It is suggested that this may be secondary to thrombin-induced enhanced adhesion as well as growth of tumor cells.

Overcoming of vinblastine resistance by isoquinolinesulfonamide compounds in adriamycin-resistant leukemia cells

We investigated the effects of seven isoquinoline derivatives in overcoming resistance to vinblastine in Adriamycin-resistant mouse leukemia P388/ADR cells and human myelogeneous leukemia K562/ADR cells. N-(2-Methylpiperazyl)-5-isoquinoline-sulfonamide (H-7), N-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H-8), and N-(2-aminoethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H-9) did not reverse resistance to vinblastine in these resistant cells. N-[2-[N-[3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-propenyl]amino]ethyl]-5- isoquinolinesulfonamide (H-86) and N-[2-[N-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-2-propenyl]- amino]ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H-87) caused significant accumulation of intracellular vinblastine and marked reversal of the resistance to vinblastine in both resistant cell lines. Addition of a formyl group at the terminal amino group of H-86 (H-85) or addition of an aminoethyl group to the nitrogen atom at the sulfonamide group of H-86 (W-66) reduced those activities. The activity on vinblastine accumulation seems to correlated with the hydrophobicity of the compounds. The compounds that effectively reversed resistance to vinblastine inhibited [3H]vinblastine efflux and photoaffinity labeling of P-glycoprotein with a photosensitive analogue of vinblastine, N-(p-azido-(3-[125I]iodo)-salicyl)-N'-beta-aminoethylvindesine. Although these isoquinoline derivatives inhibited protein kinase A and protein kinase C with various potencies, these inhibitory activities did not correlate with the reversal of drug resistance. These results indicate that hydrophobic isoquinoline derivatives reverse multidrug resistance due to the suppression of drug binding to P-glycoprotein, without involvement of their activities on protein kinase A and protein kinase C.

Multidrug resistance in Yoshida rat ascites hepatoma cell lines

Rat ascites hepatoma (AH) cell lines that were induced by dimethylaminoazobenzene and established as transplantable tumors had different sensitivities to vinblastine (VBL). The most VBL-resistant cells, AH66, showed more cross-resistance to vincristine and anthracyclines than AH66F cells. The resistance of AH66 cells was significantly decreased by verapamil. VBL-resistance of AH66 cells was inhibited by other drugs reported as overcoming acquired multidrug resistance, while the sensitivity of AH66F cells was hardly influenced by these drugs. The lowered uptake and enhanced extrusion of the antitumor drug in AH66 cells were suppressed by verapamil. M(r) 160,000 protein in the plasma membrane from AH66 was labeled with a photoactive VBL analog and was immunopositive to a monoclonal antibody against P-glycoprotein, C219. The sensitive cells had barely detectable levels of the surface membrane components. Specific photo-labeling with a VBL analog of P-glycoprotein of AH66 cell membrane was inhibited by reserpine and verapamil which restored the VBL resistance. These results indicate that AH66 cells are a naturally acquired multidrug-resistant cell line overexpressing a P-glycoprotein, and AH cell lines are useful to study multidrug resistance of hepatic carcinomas and development of counteracting drugs.

Obviation of drug resistance and affinity purification of P-glycoprotein by isoquinolinesulfonamides

A newly synthesized isoquinolinesulfonamide named H-85; N-[2-[N-formyl-N-[[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-propenyl] amino] ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide was found to reverse drug resistance in multidrug resistant P388 murine leukemic cells (P388/ADR). The energy-dependent extrusion of [3H]vinblastine from P388/ADR-cells was significantly suppressed by 10 microM H-85 but not so the efflux from the sensitive P388 cells. A 140-kDa protein overexpressed in P388/ADR cells was photoaffinity labeled with a vinblastine analog; N-(P-azid-[3-125I]salicyl-N'-(beta-aminoethyl) vindesine and H-85 selectively inhibited photolabeling of the 140-kDa protein. This 140-kDa protein was purified to apparent homogeneity by succeeding steps of phosphocellulose, DEAE-cellulose, and W-66 (a derivative of H-85)-coupled sepharose chromatography. The purified 140-kDa protein proved to be immunopositive with the P-glycoprotein-specific monoclonal antibody, C219.

Effects of gomisin A on hepatocarcinogenesis by 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene in rats

We examined the effects of gomisin A on tumor promotion in the liver after a short-term feeding of 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (3'-MeDAB) to rats, compared with the effects of phenobarbital. Male Donryu rats were fed ad libitum a diet containing 0.06% 3'-MeDAB and 0.03% or 0.01% gomisin A or water containing 0.05% phenobarbital. Gomisin A and phenobarbital did not cause any proliferative and neoplastic lesions by themselves in 40 weeks of feeding. Altered foci in the liver increased with a peak at 12 weeks after the rats were fed 3'-MeDAB. Gomisin A decreased the number of hepatic altered foci such as the clear cell and basophilic cell type foci in the early stages. Phenobarbital enhanced neoplastic alterations so that the number and size of the foci were much larger in the phenobarbital-combined group than in the 3'-MeDAB-control group. Thus, phenobarbital acted as a promoter of cells initiated by 3'-MeDAB; on the other hand, gomisin A showed a weak suppressive effect on tumor promotion.

Circumvention of multidrug resistance in P388 murine leukemia cells by a novel inhibitor of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, H-87

A newly synthesized compound, H-87, N-[2-(p-bromo cinnamylmethylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide was found to be a potent and selective inhibitor of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. The effects of H-87 on in vitro sensitivities of various P388 murine leukemia cell lines resistant to several antitumor agents were examined. H-87 significantly potentiated the cytotoxic effects of Adriamycin (ADR), daunorubicin (DAU), vincristine (VCR) and vinblastine (VBL) on P388 cells resistant to these antitumor agents but hardly influenced the effects of mitomycin C (MMC), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin (CDDP) on ADR-resistant P388 cells (P388/ADR) and P388 phenotypes resistant to the corresponding antitumor agents. H-87 promoted the accumulation of VBL much more in P388/ADR cells than in the sensitive cells by inhibiting the energy-dependent extrusion of the antitumor agent from the cells. These results suggest that this novel isoquinoline-sulfonamide derivative, H-87, overcomes the multidrug resistance by inhibiting the phosphorylation of an outward drug transport system through cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase.

Studies on responsiveness of hepatoma cells to catecholamines. V. Loss of adrenergic response of glycogen phosphorylase in rat ascites hepatoma AH130 cells

The beta-adrenoceptor-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) dependent glycogenolytic cascade was examined in normal rat hepatocytes and rat ascites hepatoma AH130 cells. The cyclic AMP content in AH130 cells was half of that in normal hepatocytes, and the cyclic AMP levels in both kinds of cells were clearly increased by isoproterenol (IPN). Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity was higher in AH130 cells than in normal hepatocytes. Phosphorylase kinase activities in 10000 x g supernatant of normal hepatocytes and AH130 cells were also increased in the presence of cyclic AMP. Phosphorylase a activities in the supernatant of both kinds of cells gradually decreased during incubation with 40 mM glucose at 37 degrees C, and the enzyme activity of normal hepatocytes was completely restored by the addition of Mg2(+)-adenosine triphosphate (ATP), but in the case of the hepatoma cells the recovery was small. The decreased phosphorylase a activity in the hepatoma cells was increased by additional glycogen but did not exceed the level before the incubation. In the case of normal hepatocytes it was not affected by glycogen. This indicates that glycogen contained in the cells influences the activation of phosphorylase; the glycogen content in AH130 cells was far less than in normal hepatocytes. On the other hand, when intact cells were incubated with a high concentration of glucose, phosphorylase a activity in the homogenate of normal hepatocytes was decreased and could be restored by IPN and dibutyryl cyclic AMP, but the enzyme activity in the homogenate of AH130 cells was very low and hardly changed after the incubation and treatment with these agents.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Correlation between hydrophobicity of N-alkylxanthine derivatives and their biological activities on guinea-pig isolated tracheal smooth muscle

Cyclic (c) AMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitory activities of N-alkylxanthine derivatives (3-methyl-,3-ethyl-,3-propyl-,3-butyl-,1,3-dimethyl-,1-methyl-3-ethyl-,1-methyl - 3-propyl- and 1-methyl-3-butyl xanthines) and their relaxant effects on carbachol-induced contraction and on resting tone guinea-pig isolated tracheal smooth muscle have been investigated. The PDE inhibition constant (Ki) and the concentration producing 50% tracheal smooth muscle relaxation in-vitro (EC50) were determined. Significant correlations between the -log Ki values and the -log EC50 values on the carbachol-induced contraction or on the resting tone were found (r = 0.902 and 0.892). The apparent partition coefficient (P) between n-octanol and pH 7.4 phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was measured as an index of hydrophobicity of the xanthine derivatives. There were significant correlations between log P and both -log EC50 values and between the log P and -log Ki values. These findings suggest that the cAMP PDE inhibitory activity of N-alkylxanthine derivatives contributes to the mechanism of bronchodilatory action, and that an increase in hydrophobicity of the xanthine molecule enhances the biological activity.

Structure-activity relationship in N3-alkyl-xanthine derivatives

Structure-activity studies were carried out to compare the relaxant effects of various xanthine derivatives synthesized by substitution of the alkyl groups of the N3 position in the xanthine molecule. We evaluated the relaxant effects and the inhibitory activities on c-AMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) in tracheal smooth muscle isolated from guinea pigs. A comparative study on their pharmacokinetic characteristics was also carried out in rabbits. Dose-dependent relaxant effects were observed, and the relaxant effect of propylxanthine was nearly equal to the effects of butyl- and isobutylxanthines. Based on the estimation of the Ki values for PDE inhibition, it was found that butylxanthine is a potent inhibitor of PDE. There was good correlation between the alkyl chain length and the Ki value of these derivatives. The results showed that the alkyl chain length plays an important role in the inhibition of PDE. There were no significant differences in the volume of distribution, although the half-life showed significant differences. It is likely that the half-lives of these derivatives are affected by their chain lengths. The present study indicated that butylxanthine may be a new candidate as a bronchodilator. However, clinical studies have to be carried out to compare its efficacy and adverse effects with those of existing bronchodilators such as theophylline.

Multiform combination effects of smooth muscle relaxants with antitumor agents in rat ascites hepatoma AH66 cells

At non-cytotoxic concentrations, actions of smooth muscle relaxants except for the action of isoproterenol (IPN) on the effect of vinblastine (VBL) and mitomycin C (MMC) in rat ascites hepatoma AH66 cells resistant to these antitumor agents clearly separated into two groups. IPN hardly influenced the effects of both VBL and MMC. Although verapamil, a calcium-antagonist, and W-7, a calmodulin inhibitor, enhanced the growth-inhibitory effect and uptake of VBL by inhibiting the VBL efflux, these drugs did not influence the effect and uptake of MMC. In contrast, forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator, db-cAMP, a cAMP analog, and theophylline, a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitor, potentiated the effect of MMC, but did not influence the effect of VBL. The combination effect of forskolin and db-cAMP might be elucidated from the increase of inward transport of MMC through the action of the intracellular cAMP elevated by these drugs. Theophylline, however, only slightly increased both intracellular cAMP level and MMC uptake into the cells, similar to the action of IPN. We thought that the combination effect of theophylline was effected through its other activity of repair inhibition against AH66 cells, which are resistant to MMC due to their high capacity to repair impaired DNA. Thus, the smooth muscle relaxants used in this study enhanced the growth-inhibitory effect of a distinct antitumor agent through their individual activity against tumor cells.

Studies on responsiveness of hepatoma cells to catecholamines. IV. Lack of adrenergic activation of phosphorylase in rat ascites hepatoma cells

Glycogen phosphorylase a activity in 7 rat ascites hepatoma cell lines treated with adrenergic agents, phenylephrine, epinephrine and isoproterenol, was investigated as compared with that in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. Basal phosphorylase activities in hepatoma cells except AH7974 cells were lower than that in hepatocytes. Phosphorylase in hepatoma cells was not activated by any of the agents, while the enzyme activity in hepatocytes was clearly increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Phosphorylase in hepatocytes was sensitive to glucagon, but it was found to be insensitive to glucagon in all hepatoma cells. The present results suggest that rat ascites hepatoma cells may escape the glycogenolytic regulation by catecholamines and glucagon.

Increase of sensitivity and uptake of vinblastine by reserpine in rat ascites hepatoma

We investigated the effect of reserpine on the antitumor effect of vinblastine (VBL) with regard to the drug resistance of rat ascites hepatomas. The sensitivity to VBL was in the order of AH13 greater than AH44 greater than AH109A greater than AH66 cells in the in vitro growth-inhibitory test, and AH66 cells were inherently most resistant to VBL. The intracellular accumulation of VBL was lower in resistant cells than in sensitive cells. Reserpine increased the sensitivity to VBL in the order of AH66 greater than AH109A greater than AH44 greater than AH13 cells. The antitumor synergism was also observed in the in vivo experiments using AH44 and AH66. Reserpine enhanced the VBL accumulation more than 2 times in AH66 and AH109A cells, but slightly increased it in AH13 and AH44 cells. These results indicated that the synergistic effect of reserpine was more potent in relatively resistant cell lines to VBL, and the effect was caused by the enhancement of VBL accumulation. On the other hand, the enhanced growth-inhibitory effect and the accumulation of VBL in the presence of reserpine were not influenced by further preincubation with reserpine. Reserpine also did not influence the intracellular level of VBL increased by 2,4-dinitrophenol in a glucose deprived medium. Reserpine decreased the VBL extrusion from AH66 cells more strongly than that from AH44 cells. These results indicated the possibility that reserpine interfered with the VBL efflux process, while it might not influence the VBL influx process.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influence of iproniazid on the combination effect of reserpine with antitumor agents on l1210

The influence of two antidepressants, iproniazid and imipramine, was examined on the antileukemic combination effect of reserpine with 1-gamma-chloropropyl-2-chloromethylpiperidine hydrobromide (CAP-2), mitomycin C, or vinblastine on L1210. While reserpine synergistically increased the life span at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg in combination with these antitumor agents, the mice given reserpine showed considerable reduction of food intake and hypothermia. Iproniazid reduced all these effects of reserpine, while imipramine slightly potentiated hypothermia among these effects of reserpine. Starvation scarcely influenced the effect of the antitumor agents. On the other hand, reserpine also enhanced the antiproliferating effect of CAP-2 against L1210 cells in vitro. Iproniazid did not influence the combined antiproliferating effect of these agents in vitro. These results indicate that iproniazid reduced the antileukemic combination effect of reserpine with antitumor agents through an antireserpic effect such as inhibition of hypothermia. Therefore, it seems likely that the antileukemic combination effect of reserpine is closely related to the marked hypothermia, and only partially related to the direct effect on L1210 cells.

Comination effect of reserpine with antitumor agents in L1210

The antileukemic combined effect of reserpine with 1-gamma-chloropropyl-2-chloromethylpiperidine hydrobromide (CAP-2) and other antitumor agents was studied on mouse leukemia L1210 in comparison with the effects of other Rauwolfia alkaloids and sympatholytic drugs. When reserpine was administered by a single ip injection (2.5 mg/kg) on day 1, the effect of subsequent administration of CAP-2, mitomycin-C, or vinblastine was synergistically enhanced. In this combination with reserpine, the acute lethality of CAP-2 on the host animals was apparently decreased. Among other sympatholytic drugs, rescinnamine, a central nervous system depressant, slightly potentiated the antitumor effect of CAP-2. On the other hand, when reserpine-induced hypothermia was prevented by maintenance of the ambient temperature at 30 degrees, the synergistic combined effect of reserpine was diminished. Chlorpromazine-induced hypothermia did not influence the antitumor effect of CAP-2. It may be concluded that the antileukemic synergism depends partially on the interaction between reserpine and CAP-2 or other antitumor agents in relation to body temperature and/or action on the central nervous system in leukemic mice.

Effect of l-ascorbate 2-sulfate on fatty liver and hyperlipidemia induced by various treatments in rats and guinea pigs

Effects of L-ascorbate 2-sulfate (AAS) on fatty liver and hyperlipidemia induced by various treatments were studied in rats and guinea pigs. L-Ascorbic acid (AA) (50 or 175 mg/kg), a reference compound, lowered the lipid levels in the serum and/or liver in guinea pigs, while AA had little effect in rats. On the other hand, AAS (300 mg/kg) was effective in both animals. In rats, AAS lowered cholesterol and triglycerides in the serum from ethionine-treated animals and in the liver from orotic acid-supplemented animals. In guinea pigs, this compound lowered cholesterol and triglycerides in the serum from ethionine-treated animals, lipids in the liver from cholesterol-supplemented animals, and lipids in the serum and liver from scorbutic animals. AA markedly increased the content of AA in the organs in all experiments, while AAS had a slight effect. Thus, it is suggested that AAS exerts its hypolipidemic and lipotropic effects by the specific actions of AAS.