Comparison of influence of carmustine and new proline analog of nitrosourea on antioxidant system in breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7)

Drug Chem Toxicol. 2010;33(1):55-63. doi: 10.3109/01480540903130716.

Abstract

The high toxicity and low selectivity of carmustine restrict its application in anticancer therapy. Therefore, proline analogs of nitrosourea have been synthesized to obtain compounds whose action on neoplastic cells is characterized by higher selectivity. The present studies have aimed at examining the influence of carmustine and a new proline analog of nitrosourea on the redox system of fibroblasts and breast cancer cells (MCF-7). Carmustine and the proline analog of nitrosourea caused an increase in hydrogen peroxide concentration both in fibroblasts and MCF-7 cells. Moreover, administration of carmustine and the new analog of nitrosourea caused a decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Observed changes in the antioxidant system correlated with an increase in concentration of dityrosine, as well as a decrease in tryptophan concentration. Changes in the antioxidant system were also accompanied by intensification of the lipid peroxidation process. In conclusion, carmustine and proline analog of nitrosourea produce similar changes in the antioxidant system in normal and cancer cells and are responsible for oxidative stress.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Carmustine / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • Chemotactic Factors
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Nitrosourea Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Oxygen / metabolism
  • Proline / analogs & derivatives*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / pharmacology
  • Tetrazolium Salts / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Antioxidants
  • Chemotactic Factors
  • Nitrosourea Compounds
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds
  • Tetrazolium Salts
  • Proline
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Oxygen
  • Calcium
  • Carmustine