The aim of the research was to evaluate a heavy metal, Cadmium (Cd), which was used to produce alterations in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Moreover, we analyzed both immunohistochemical and ultrastructural alterations induced by the antineoplastic drug, 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), after exposure to different concentrations of Cadmium. Also, we compared the effects of these compounds on actin and tubulin cytoskeleton proteins. Under ultramicroscopic observation, control cells looked polymorphous with filopodia. In cells already treated with small concentrations of Cd, after brief times of incubation, we observed an intense metabolic activity with larger, clearer, and elongated mitochondria characterized by thin and numerous dilated cristae. 5-FU-treated cells showed cytotoxicity signs with presence of pore-like alterations in the cell membrane and evident degeneration of cytoplasm and cell nuclei. The addition of 5-FU (1.5 μM) to the cells treated with Cd (5 μM-20 μM) did not induce significant ultrastructural changes in comparison with cells treated only with Cd. In Cd+5FU-treated cells mitochondria with globular aspect and regular cristae indicated the active metabolic state. In cells treated only with Cd we observed alterations in actin distribution, while tubulin branched out throughout the cytoplasm. With the association of Cd+5FU, we observed less morphological alterations in both tubulin and actin cytoskeleton proteins. Although the mechanism remains unknown at present, our findings suggest that Cd prevents the cytotoxic effect of 5-FU on breast cancer cells. These preliminary results could have an important clinical application in patients with breast cancer.

Cadmium influences the 5-Fluorouracil cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cells / Mazzarello, Vittorio Lorenzo Giuseppe; Sotgiu, Maria Alessandra; Madeddu, Roberto Beniamino; Asara, Yolande; Marchal Corrales, Juan Antonio; Delogu, Lucia Gemma; Bandiera, Pasquale; Montella, Andrea Costantino Mario. - In: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HISTOCHEMISTRY. - ISSN 2038-8306. - 56:1(2012). [10.4081/ejh.2012.e1]

Cadmium influences the 5-Fluorouracil cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cells

Mazzarello, Vittorio Lorenzo Giuseppe;Sotgiu, Maria Alessandra;Madeddu, Roberto Beniamino;Asara, Yolande;Marchal Corrales, Juan Antonio;Delogu, Lucia Gemma;Bandiera, Pasquale;Montella, Andrea Costantino Mario
2012-01-01

Abstract

The aim of the research was to evaluate a heavy metal, Cadmium (Cd), which was used to produce alterations in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Moreover, we analyzed both immunohistochemical and ultrastructural alterations induced by the antineoplastic drug, 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), after exposure to different concentrations of Cadmium. Also, we compared the effects of these compounds on actin and tubulin cytoskeleton proteins. Under ultramicroscopic observation, control cells looked polymorphous with filopodia. In cells already treated with small concentrations of Cd, after brief times of incubation, we observed an intense metabolic activity with larger, clearer, and elongated mitochondria characterized by thin and numerous dilated cristae. 5-FU-treated cells showed cytotoxicity signs with presence of pore-like alterations in the cell membrane and evident degeneration of cytoplasm and cell nuclei. The addition of 5-FU (1.5 μM) to the cells treated with Cd (5 μM-20 μM) did not induce significant ultrastructural changes in comparison with cells treated only with Cd. In Cd+5FU-treated cells mitochondria with globular aspect and regular cristae indicated the active metabolic state. In cells treated only with Cd we observed alterations in actin distribution, while tubulin branched out throughout the cytoplasm. With the association of Cd+5FU, we observed less morphological alterations in both tubulin and actin cytoskeleton proteins. Although the mechanism remains unknown at present, our findings suggest that Cd prevents the cytotoxic effect of 5-FU on breast cancer cells. These preliminary results could have an important clinical application in patients with breast cancer.
2012
Cadmium influences the 5-Fluorouracil cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cells / Mazzarello, Vittorio Lorenzo Giuseppe; Sotgiu, Maria Alessandra; Madeddu, Roberto Beniamino; Asara, Yolande; Marchal Corrales, Juan Antonio; Delogu, Lucia Gemma; Bandiera, Pasquale; Montella, Andrea Costantino Mario. - In: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HISTOCHEMISTRY. - ISSN 2038-8306. - 56:1(2012). [10.4081/ejh.2012.e1]
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Asara_Y_Cadmium_influences_the_5-Fluorouracil.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Versione editoriale (versione finale pubblicata)
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 1.07 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.07 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11388/262745
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 19
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 20
social impact