title: Effect of flupirtine on cell death of human umbilical vein endothelial cells induced by reactive oxygen species.
abstract: Flupirtine (KATADOLON), known as a nonopiate centrally acting analgesic drug, was tested as to its potential to prevent apoptosis of human endothelial cells induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). It was found that Flupirtine displayed no effect on viability and cell proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) up to a concentration of 10 microg/mL. Apoptosis, induced by ROS and generated by hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase (EC 1.1.3.22) (HX/XOD) or t-butyl hydroperoxide, was reduced after preincubation with Flupirtine for 3 hr by 35% and 41%, respectively. The maximal cytoprotective effect against apoptosis was observed at a drug concentration of 1 to 3 microg/mL. Flow cytometric studies revealed that Flupirtine was able to decrease the number of necrotic cells as well as of apoptotic cells. Neither the simultaneous administration of Flupirtine with the apoptosis-inducing agent nor the preincubation of HUVEC with Flupirtine influenced the increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration [Ca2+]i caused by the production of ROS.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Biochemie, Universität, Magdeburg, Germany. bernd.lorenz@medizin.uni-magdeburg.de
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lorenz
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schlüter
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bohnensack
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pergande
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Müller
mesh_terms: D000631:Aminopyridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009336:Necrosis; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014471:Umbilical Veins; D019820:Xanthine / Q000494:pharmacology; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase / Q000494:pharmacology