title: Abnormal radiosensitizing and cytotoxic properties of ortho-substituted nitroimidazoles.
abstract: Various 5-substituted 4-nitroimidazoles have been shown to be much more efficient radiosensitizers and much more toxic than would have been predicted from their electron affinities, as measured by values of one-electron reduction potential, E17. Using Chinese hamster V79 cells in vitro, a comparison has been made with some isomeric 4-substituted 5-nitroimidazoles. These compounds have E17 values some 64mV greater than the 4-nitroimidazoles, yet show much lower sensitizing efficiency and also lower toxicity. Neither series of compounds shows the greater toxicity towards hypoxic cells usually associated with nitroaromatic and nitroheterocyclic compounds. The second-order rate constants, k2, for reaction of these isomeric nitroimidazoles with glutathione and dithiothreitol were determined. Within each series the value of k2 increased with increasing electron affinity, however, the 4-nitroimidazoles were always more reactive than their corresponding 5-nitro isomers. The sensitizing and toxic properties of these compounds may involve depletion of intracellular thiols; this possibility is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008168:Lung; D009593:Nitroimidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D009593:Nitroimidazoles; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents