title: Ouabain-induced alterations in ABCB1 of mesenteric lymph nodes and thymocytes of rats and mice.
abstract: Ouabain is a glycoside with immunomodulating properties, and recent studies have suggested its use in adjuvant therapy for cancer treatment. Ouabain is known to modulate the immune systemin vitro, and previous studies have revealed that ouabain can modulate the expression and activity of ABCB1, a protein associated with multidrug resistance present in immune system. Therefore, the present study investigated alterations in the expression and activity of ABCB1 in the thymi, peripheral blood monocytes and lymph nodes of Wistar rats and Swiss mice treated acutely or chronically with ouabain. A decrease of almost 45% in the monocyte count and an increase of 55% in the basophil count were observed. A significant decrease (75% reduction) in the amount of cells with ABCB1 activity was found in the thymocytes of ouabain-treated rats and mice. The possible implications of these results for cancer treatment are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21949-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniel Boff
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21949-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Raphael Carmo
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Valente
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21949-900, Brazil; Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21949-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcia Alves Marques
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Capella
keywords: ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1; cancer; immune system; mouse; ouabain; rat