Ultrastructure of sarcoma 180 cells after ultrasound irradiation in the presence of sparfloxacin.
BACKGROUND
Sonodynamic synergistic antitumor effects have been well described to date, but detailed ultrastructural studies in this field are still lacking.


METHODS
A suspension of sarcoma 180 cells was exposed to ultrasound (US) in the presence of sparfloxacin (SPFX), one of the new quinolone antibiotics, at 2 W (0.64 W/cm2) for 30 seconds. The antitumor effect was evaluated by the survival rate of cells and cell morphology by scanning and transmission electron microscopy.


RESULTS
After US irradiation, the survival rate of tumor cells in the SPFX-added group was 30.9%, significantly lower than 78.7% in the control group (p = 0.0002). Most cells in the control group were spherical, but in the SPFX-added group the cells were aspherical. Cell membranes were often ruptured and numerous pores of various sizes were observed. Some cells were totally disintegrated.


CONCLUSIONS
The most characteristic changes of the synergistic antitumor activities of US and SPFX were on the cell membrane.
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Akita University School of Medicine, Akita 010-8543, Japan.
Deqing
D
Huang
Kyoji
K
Okada
Chiyo
C
Komori
Eiji
E
Itoi
Koichi
K
Kawamura
Toshio
T
Suzuki
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004357:Drug Synergism; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D017348:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Transmission; D012510:Sarcoma 180 / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D014463:Ultrasonography
D024841:Fluoroquinolones; C061363:sparfloxacin