Augmented inhibition of tumor cell proliferation in the combined use of disulfiram with ascorbic acid and the involvement of oxygen free radicals
Mashiba, H.; Matsunaga, K.
Japanese Journal of Experimental Medicine 60(4): 209-214
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-5031 PMID: 2292808 Document Number: 355604
To examine the roles of oxygen free radicals in the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, we have used disulfiram (DS), a metal-chelator, to inactivate superoxide dismutase and ascorbic acid (AsA) to inhibit catalase. Simultaneous addition of DS and AsA to Meth A tumor cells or Ehrlich ascites tumor cells induced marked inhibition of the cell proliferation assessed by [3H]thymidine uptake and trypan blue dye exclusion method. Similar augmented inhibition of Meth A tumor cell proliferation was observed when the cells were pretreated with DS and AsA. However, the addition of catalase (2000 u/ml) nullified the augmentation of anti-proliferative effect which can be induced in the combined use of DS and AsA. These results suggest that the steady-state increase of intracellular oxygen free radicals within tumor cells could be induced in the combined use of DS and AsA.