title: The phototoxicity of fluvastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, is mediated by the formation of a benzocarbazole-like photoproduct.
abstract: In this paper, we have investigated the mechanism of phototoxicity of fluvastatin, an 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, in human keratinocytes cell line NCTC-2544. Fluvastatin underwent rapid photodegradation upon Ultraviolet-A (UVA) irradiation in buffered aqueous solution as shown by the changes in absorption spectra. Interestingly, no isosbestic points were observed but only a fast appearance of a spectral change, indicative of the formation of a new chromophore. The isolation and characterization of the main photoproduct revealed the formation of a polycyclic compound with a benzocarbazole-like structure. This product was also evaluated for its phototoxic potential. Cell phototoxicity was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide test after 72 h from the irradiation in the presence of fluvastatin. The results showed a reduction of the cell viability in a concentration and UVA dose-dependent manner. Surprisingly, the photoproduct showed a dramatic decrease of the cell viability that occurred at concentrations of an order of magnitude lower than the parent compound. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that fluvastatin and its main photoproduct induced principally necrosis as revealed by the large appearance of propidium iodide-positive cells and confirmed also by the rapid drop in cellular adenosine triphosphate levels. Interestingly, a rapid increase of intracellular calcium followed by an extensive cell lipid membrane peroxidation and a significant oxidation of model proteins were induced by fluvastatin and its photoproduct, suggesting that these compounds exerted their toxic effect mainly in the cellular membranes. On the basis of our results, the phototoxicity of fluvastatin may be mediated by the formation of benzocarbazole-like photoproduct that acts as strong photosensitizer.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Oncohematology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy. giampietro.viola.1@unipd.it
authors.forename: Giampietro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Viola
authors.forename: Pawel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grobelny
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Linardi
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salvador
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Basso
authors.forename: Jadwiga
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mielcarek
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dall'Acqua
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vedaldi
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dall'Acqua
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000633:toxicity*; D000077340:Fluvastatin; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000633:toxicity*; D007211:Indoles / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000633:toxicity*; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D002227:Carbazoles; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D007211:Indoles; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D000077340:Fluvastatin; D002118:Calcium