Potentiation of anti-proliferative effect of nitroprusside by ascorbate in human brain tumor cells

The interactions of nitric oxide (NO) and ascorbate were explored on the control of growth of human brain tumor cells. Sodium nitroprusside, a NO-generating agent, inhibited the growth of SK-N-MC human neuroblastoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. The growth inhibitory effect of nitroprusside was potentiated by sodium ascorbate and inhibited by hemoglobin. Ascorbate-induced potentiation was also observed in U-373 MG human astrocytoma cells. In both tumor cell lines, this potentiation was blocked by catalase, suggesting that hydrogen peroxide may be involved in the potentiation mechanism. In astrocytoma cells, mannitol or deferoxamine also reversed ascorbate-induced potentiation, indicating involvement of hydroxyl radical. These results suggest that the combined treatment with nitroprusside and ascorbate may be a valuable therapeutic strategy for brain tumors.