Aim: In this work we investigated the ability of hypoxia-selective radiosensitizer--sanazole to produce nitric oxide (NO).
Methods: NO formation was determined by spectophotometric method in the reaction with sanazole and oxyhemoglobin. In suspensions of lymphoma EL-4 and mastocytoma P 8815 cell NO production was estimated indirectly as nitrite concentration in the supernatant fraction.
Results: Transformation of oxyhemoglobin by sanazole to methemoglobin suggested the dissociation of nitro group in aqueous solution and denitration of molecules. Addition of sanazole to hypoxic tumor cell suspension resulted in the increase of nitrite content in tissue culture medium.
Conclusion: Presented data suggest the ability of sanazole to produce NO that may be important in a probable mechanism for antitumor and immunomodulating properties of this radiosensitizer.