Nadezda Nikolic

Opposite effects of nanocrystalline fullerene (C60) on tumour cell growth in vitro and in vivo and a possible role of immunosupression in the cancer-promoting activity of C60

In the present study, we compared the effects of nanocrystalline fullerene suspension (nanoC(60)) on tumour cell growth in vitro and in vivo. NanoC(60) suspension was prepared by solvent exchange using tetrahydrofuran to dissolve C(60). In vitro, nanoC(60) caused oxidative stress, mitochondrial depolarization and caspase activation, leading to apoptotic and necrotic death in mouse B16 melanoma cells. Biodistribution studies demonstrated that intraperitoneally injected radiolabeled (125I) nanoC(60) readily accumulated in the tumour tissue of mice subcutaneously inoculated with B16 cells. However, intraperitoneal administration of nanoC(60) over the course of two weeks starting from melanoma cell implantation not only failed to reduce, but significantly augmented tumour growth. The tumour-promoting effect of nanoC(60) was accompanied by a significant increase in splenocyte production of the immunoregulatory free radical nitric oxide (NO), as well as by a reduction in splenocyte proliferative responses to T- and B-cell mitogens ConcanavalinA and bacterial lipopolysaccharide, respectively. A negative correlation between NO production and splenocyte proliferation indicated a possible role of NO in reducing the proliferation of splenocytes from nanoC(60)-injected mice. These data demonstrate that nanoC(60), in contrast to its potent anticancer activity in vitro, can potentiate tumour growth in vivo, possibly by causing NO-dependent suppression of anticancer immune response.

Modulation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-mediated Cell Death by Fullerenes

PurposeThe fullerene (C60/C70 mixture—C60/70) nanocrystalline suspension prepared by solvent exchange method using tetrahydrofyran (THF/nC60/70) and polyhydroxylated C60/70 [C60/70(OH)n] were compared for their ability to modulate cytotoxicity of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF).Materials and MethodsTNF-induced cytotoxicity was assessed in L929 fibrosarcoma cells by crystal violet assay. The type of cell death (apoptosis/necrosis), production of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial depolarization and caspase activation were determined by flow cytometry using the appropriate reporter dyes.ResultsTHF/nC60/70 augmented, while C60/70(OH)n reduced the cytotoxicity of TNF. The numbers of cells undergoing apoptosis/necrosis, as well as of those displaying the activation of apoptosis-inducing enzymes of caspase family, were respectively increased or reduced by THF/nC60/70 or C60/70(OH)n. The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine and mitochondrial permeability transition inhibitor cyclosporin A each partly blocked the cytotoxic action of TNF, indicating the involvement of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in the TNF cytotoxicity. Accordingly, THF/nC60/70 or C60/70(OH)n potentiated or suppressed, respectively, TNF-triggered oxidative stress and mitochondrial depolarization.ConclusionThe ability of different fullerene preparations to modulate TNF-induced oxidative stress and subsequent cell death suggests their potential value in the TNF-based cancer therapy or prevention of TNF-dependent tissue damage.

90Y-Labeled Tin Fluoride Colloid as a Promising Therapeutic Agent: Preparation, Characterization, and Biological Study in Rats

In this study, tin fluoride colloid (SnF-c) was prepared, labeled with yttrium-90 ((90)Y), and characterized with respect to its physicochemical properties and biological behavior in an animal model. Particle size of SnF-c, at constant concentration of SnF(2), was dependent on pH, concentration of sodium fluoride (NaF), temperature, and time. The particle size of SnF-c decreased with an increase in NaF concentration and a decrease in reaction mixture pH. Radiolabeling yield of (90)Y-SnF-c at higher temperature increased and it was greater than 98% for the preparation at 95 °C. The (90)Y-SnF-c demonstrated high in vitro stability both in human serum and human synovial fluid at 37 °C up to 7 days. In vivo distribution studies in healthy male Wistar rats of (90)Y-SnF-c (particles <1 μm), following intravenous administration, revealed that the localization takes place preferably in the liver. The (90)Y-SnF-c (particles >1 μm) was well retained in the synovial space for 96 h after intra-articular injection, whereas leakage of (90)Y from the joint was 1.96% over this period. Because of high labeling yield and stability, (90)Y-SnF-c might be a promising agent for radiosynovectomy or therapy of liver malignancies.

Preparation and In Vivo Evaluation of 90Y-Meso-Dimercaptosuccinic Acid (90Y-DMSA) for Possible Therapeutic Use: Comparison with 99mTc-DMSA

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to find out if (90)Y could form a stabile complex with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and if (90)Y-DMSA may have potential for tumor therapy in the palliative treatment of bone metastases. METHODS The preparing of (90)Y-DMSA was carried out by varying experimental parameters, such as ligand concentration, pH, time, and temperature of the reaction, in order to maximize the labeling yield. Analysis of the complexes enclosed the radiochemical quality control (instant thin-layer chromatography, paper chromatography, and high-performance liquid chromatography), determination of pharmacokinetical parameters as well as biodistribution study in healthy male Wistar rats. In vitro stability of the complexes was tested too. RESULTS (90)Y-DMSA could be prepared in high yields (>95%) under optimized conditions of reaction. Stability studies in saline and human serum in vitro showed no significant release of activity from the ligand over 24 hours and 10 days, respectively. The preliminary biodistribution results in rat at 2 hours indicated that (90)Y-DMSA, at both pH levels, was significantly retained into bone. The uptake in the kidneys was lower for (90)Y-DMSA at pH 8.0 then at pH 3.0. The retention in other organs was negligible. CONCLUSIONS (90)Y complexes could be made with ease with DMSA. (90)Y-DMSA was obtained in good yield and was found to be very stable. A promising biodistribution result of this complex pointed at potential in the palliative treatment of bone metastases.

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of [Cu2(LH)2]•(ClO4)2. Influence of the weak Cu•••O(perchlorate) interaction on the structure of Cu2N2O2 metallocycle

The diimine-dioxime ligand, 4,9-diaza-3,10-diethyl-3,9-dodecadiene-2,11-dione bisoxime (LH2), containing a N4 donor set was prepared by Schiff base condensation of 2-hydroxyimino-3-pentanone and 1,4-diaminobutane in two ways: in protic and in aprotic solvent. Higher yield of (LH2) imine was obtained when the synthesis was carried out using protic solvent (C2H5OH) instead of aprotic benzene (78% and 30%, respectively). Cu(II) metal complex of diimine-dioxime was synthesized in CH3OH from metal salt and LH2 in mole ratio 1:1. The isolated complex was characterized by the elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The structure of [Cu2(LH)2]•(ClO4)2 was determined by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Comparison with the structurally related diimine-dioxime Cu(II) complexes revealed the influence of the weak Cu•••O(perchlorate) interaction on the geometry of the metallocycle. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 45015, br. 172013, br. 172065 i br. 172014]

Electrochemical separation of 90-yttrium in the electrochemical 90Sr/90Y generator and its use for radiolabelling of DOTA-conjugated somatostatin analog [DOTA0, Tyr3] octreotate

Radiopharmaceuticals based on 90Y are widely used in the treatment of malignant deseases. In order to meet the requirements for their future application, a 90Sr/90Y generator was developed and 90Y eluted from this locally produced generator was used for the radiolabelling of the DOTA-conjugated somatostatin analog [DOTA0,Tyr3] octreotate and the preparation of [90Y-DOTA0,Tyr3] octreotate (90Y-DOTATATE) for peptide receptore radionuclide therapy. 90Sr/90Y generator was based on the electrochemical separation of 90Y from 90Sr in a two-cycle electrolysis procedure. Three electrode cells were used to perform both electrolyses. In both cycles, working electrodes were kept on constant potential. The pH of the solution was adjusted to 2.7 of the value before the electrolyses. The radionuclidic purity of the 90Y solution was analysed by ITLC and extraction paper chromatography. The labelling of peptide (100 mg DOTATATE) with 90YCl3 was performed at 95°C for 30 minutes. Radiochemical purity was determined by HPLC and chromatographic separation, using a solid SepPak C-18 column. Results obtained confirmed the efficiency of our electrochemical separation technique and quality control methods for 90Y. The achieved efficiency of the 90Sr/90Y generator above 96% of the theoretical value represents a good basis for the further development of this generator. The labelling of the DOTATATE with 90Y exhibited a high efficiency, too: there was less than 1% of 90Y3+in the 90Y-DOTATATE.