title: Biochemical action of new complexes of ruthenium with quinolones as potential antitumor agents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study paper was to identify the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in apoptosis signaling mechanisms. We used for this purpose two ruthenium complex compounds based on that overproduce these reactive species by their metabolism thus manifesting their antitumor activity too.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vivo studies were performed in Walker 256 carcinoma-bearing Wistar rats treated with two ruthenium (III) (Ru(III)) complexes with -fluoroquinolones norfloxacin and ofloxacin. The treatment started 7 days after tumor grafting. We assayed the dynamics of apoptosis by flow-cytometry and the biochemical oxidative status parameters. The biological samples used were serum and whole-tumor tissues; the results were compared to the untreated control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed an increase of apoptosis from 14.79% to 59.72% 14.79% to 59.72% in tumor cells treated with the most active combination, ruthenium complex with norfloxacin. We also noted an increase of the oxidative status and ROS production during treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The newly-synthesized complexes are less toxic and their activity is based on the induction of oxidative stress.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Oncology, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Maria Iuliana
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Gruia
authors.affiliation: Institute of Oncology, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Negoita
authors.affiliation: Institute of Oncology, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vasilescu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Oncology, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Marieta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Panait
authors.affiliation: University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics, Bucharest, Romania gruia_ion@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Ion
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gruia
authors.affiliation: Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Bruno Stefan
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Velescu
authors.affiliation: Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Uivarosi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002279:Carcinoma 256, Walker / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D015363:Quinolones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012428:Ruthenium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D015363:Quinolones; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012428:Ruthenium
keywords: Oxidative stress; anticancer treatment; ruthenium complexes