<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> In the present study, cytotoxic effects of D-Ala, D-Pro and D-Lys are demonstrated. In an effort to study the possible mechanisms of the observed cytotoxicity, catalase activity, H2O2 generation, and apoptotic activity were measured in HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines. Although D-Lys is a poor substrate for DAO and therefore low H2O2 was detected, it was shown to provoke severe impairment of cellular integrity and survival. Interestingly, a very good substrate for DAO, such as D-Pro, did not substantially reduce cell viability. On the other hand, a moderate substrate for DAO, represented by D-Ala, was shown to moderately trigger toxicity in the tested cell lines. Although a correlation between the in vitro cytotoxicity of D-amino acids and the amount of H2O2 produced was absent, there was a good agreement between the ability of D-amino acids to trigger apoptosis and to provoke toxicity. Our results indicate that the toxicity of D-amino acids does not appear to be solely mediated by H2O2. Therefore, we hypothesize that other possible contributing apoptosis-mediated pathways might cause the observed toxicity.</abstract>

In the present study, cytotoxic effects of D-Ala, D-Pro and D-Lys are demonstrated. In an effort to study the possible mechanisms of the observed cytotoxicity, catalase activity, H2O2 generation, and apoptotic activity were measured in HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines. Although D-Lys is a poor substrate for DAO and therefore low H2O2 was detected, it was shown to provoke severe impairment of cellular integrity and survival. Interestingly, a very good substrate for DAO, such as D-Pro, did not substantially reduce cell viability. On the other hand, a moderate substrate for DAO, represented by D-Ala, was shown to moderately trigger toxicity in the tested cell lines. Although a correlation between the in vitro cytotoxicity of D-amino acids and the amount of H2O2 produced was absent, there was a good agreement between the ability of D-amino acids to trigger apoptosis and to provoke toxicity. Our results indicate that the toxicity of D-amino acids does not appear to be solely mediated by H2O2. Therefore, we hypothesize that other possible contributing apoptosis-mediated pathways might cause the observed toxicity.

An in vitro based investigation into the cytotoxic effects of D-amino acids

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan

Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942 Jordan

Acta Pharmaceutica

{"article-title":"An in vitro based investigation into the cytotoxic effects of D-amino acids"}

In the present study, cytotoxic effects of D-Ala, D-Pro and D-Lys are demonstrated. In an effort to study the possible mechanisms of the observed cytotoxicity,...

An in vitro based investigation into the cytotoxic effects of D-amino acids

Published Online: Dec 31, 2013

Page range: 467 - 478

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acph-2013-0032

Keywords
D-amino acids, toxicity, HeLa cells, MCF7 cells, catalase, apoptosis, oxidative stress

This content is open access.

An in vitro based investigation into the cytotoxic effects of D-amino acids

Published Online: Dec 31, 2013

Page range: 467 - 478

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acph-2013-0032

KeywordsD-amino acids, toxicity, HeLa cells, MCF7 cells, catalase, apoptosis, oxidative stress

This content is open access.

Keywords
D-amino acids, toxicity, HeLa cells, MCF7 cells, catalase, apoptosis, oxidative stress