title: Effect of nitrogen mustard, a vesicant agent, on lymphocyte energy metabolism.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The vesicant agents sulfur and nitrogen mustards, which contain chloroethyl groups, are potent inhibitors of DNA synthesis and cell growth, likely changing the utilization of anaerobic glycolysis for energy generation.
  
  
  METHODS
  To investigate the effect of nitrogen mustard on cellular energy metabolism, lymphocytes treated with increasing doses of mechlorethamine (HN2), a nitrogen mustard and an analogue of sulfur mustard, were incubated with radiolabeled glucose. The rates of aerobic and anaerobic glycolysis were then determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Glycogen consumption was significantly higher in cells treated with HN2 in a dose-dependent manner compared to untreated cells. Similarly, the amount of end-product lactate was increased, but CO2 was reduced in HN2-treated cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lymphocytes normally use aerobic glycolysis under aerobic conditions, but energy metabolism predominantly involved anaerobic glycolysis after severe intoxication with mustard agent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Gulhane School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. lkenar@gatar.edu.tr
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kenar
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boyunaga
authors.forename: Muhittin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serdar
authors.forename: Turan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karayilanoglu
authors.forename: M Kemal
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Erbil
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007509:Irritants / Q000633:toxicity*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008466:Mechlorethamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D015394:Molecular Structure
chemical_list: D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D007509:Irritants; D008466:Mechlorethamine; D006003:Glycogen; D005947:Glucose