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Oxidative stress and tumour cell proliferation
R H Burdon1, V Gill, C Rice-Evans
1Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
Free Radical Research Communications
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Oxidant stress impacts cell growth, with superoxide production higher in malignant cells. While hydrogen peroxide can stimulate cell growth, antioxidants like alpha-tocopherol are crucial for protecting cells, especially under serum-depleted conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Oxidative Stress Research
- Cancer Cell Biology
Background:
- Oxidant stress is implicated in cellular transformation and malignancy.
- Superoxide production and superoxide dismutase levels differ between immortalized and malignant cells.
- The role of reactive oxygen species in cell proliferation requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of oxidant stress on immortalized and malignant cell lines.
- To examine the influence of active oxygen species on cell growth promotion.
- To assess the protective role of antioxidants against oxidant-induced inhibition.
Main Methods:
- Culturing immortalized hamster (BHK-21) and rat (208F) cell lines.
- Inducing malignant transformation using polyoma virus or activated H-ras.
- Measuring intracellular superoxide production and superoxide dismutase activity.
- Assessing cell proliferation in the presence of MTT, hydrogen peroxide, paraquat, and alpha-tocopherol under varying serum conditions.
Main Results:
- Transformed cells exhibited higher superoxide production and lower superoxide dismutase levels.
- Low levels of hydrogen peroxide stimulated growth in both cell types.
- Paraquat stimulated H-ras transformed cells in serum-containing medium but was inhibitory in serum-free medium.
- Alpha-tocopherol alleviated paraquat-induced inhibition and restimulated growth in serum-free conditions, even surpassing growth in 10% serum for transformed cells.
Conclusions:
- Active oxygen species, like hydrogen peroxide, may promote the growth of both immortalized and transformed cells.
- Antioxidant protection is essential for cellular health, particularly under conditions of oxidative stress or serum deprivation.
- Alpha-tocopherol demonstrates significant potential in mitigating oxidative stress and promoting cell proliferation.