alpha-Tocopherol pretreatment increases adriamycin bone marrow toxicity

Alpha-tocopherol has been shown to increase survival duration and decrease cardiotoxicity and cell membrane lipid peroxidation in adriamycin treated leukemic mice. We have studied the interacting effects of free alpha-tocopherol-adriamycin or alpha-tocopherol acetate-adriamycin on the latter's inhibition of mouse bone marrow (NCFU) and P388 leukemic (LCFU) stem cell growth. Free alpha-tocopherol or alpha-tocopherol acetate, 85 IU, was given i.p. to normal or leukemic DBA/2 mice 24 hours prior to IV adriamycin, 2--12 mg/kg. NCFU and LCFU assays were carried out as previously described. Both free alpha-tocopherol and alpha-tocopherol acetate caused a significant ( p less than .02) increase in adriamycin toxicity to NCFU, whereas alpha-tocopherol acetate did not significantly increase adriamycin's inhibition of LCFU. We conclude that free alpha-tocopherol or alpha-tocopherol acetate may cause a potentiation of adriamycin's bone marrow toxicity.