title: In vitro cytotoxicity of the nitric oxide donor, S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine, towards cells from human oral tissue.
abstract: The cytotoxicity of the nitric oxide donor, S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP), towards cultured human cells from oral tissue was evaluated. The toxicity of SNAP to Smulow-Glickman gingival epithelial cells was correlated with the liberation of nitric oxide, as N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine, the SNAP metabolites, N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine disulfide and nitrite, and preincubated (denitrosylated) SNAP did not affect viability. Comparing equimolar concentrations of various nitric oxide donors, cytotoxicity appeared to be inversely related to the relative stability (i.e., half-life) of the test compound; the sequence of cytotoxicity for a 4 hr exposure was S-nitrosoglutathione>>spermine NONOate> SNAP>DPTA NONOate>>DETA NONOate. Intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH) was lowered in S-G cells exposed to SNAP. Pretreatment of the cells with the GSH depleter, 1,3-bis-(chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), enhanced the toxicity of SNAP Similar findings of enhanced sensitivity to SNAP were noted with gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells pretreated with BCNU. The toxicity of SNAP towards the gingival epithelial cells was decreased by cotreatment with the antioxidants, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, L-ascorbic acid, and (+)-catechin. Cells exposed to SNAP exhibited nuclear aberrations, including multilobed nuclei and multinucleation. SNAP-induced cell death was apparently by apoptosis, as noted by fluorescence microscopy and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Stern College for Women, Yeshiva University, New York, New York 10016, USA. babich@ymail.yu.edu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Babich
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Zuckerbraun
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Hirsch
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blau
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; C110881:S-nitro-N-acetylpenicillamine; D010396:Penicillamine