Cytotoxic Impact of N-Oleoylethanolamine on Bone Cancer Cells

Author(s):

Hüseyin İzgördü*, Canan Vejselova Sezer, Kadir Bayçelebi, Murat Baloğlu and Hatice Mehtap Kutlu   Pages 1119 - 1123 ( 5 )

Abstract:

Background: Cancer is a complex disease that derives from the uncontrolled proliferation of cells. Bone cancer is a type of prevalent cancer that occurs both in young and adults. Bone cancer is most common in the long bones of the pelvis, arms and legs. Statistically, more than 200 cases of osteosarcoma have been reported annually in our country. Classical treatment with chemotherapeutics remains ineffective in the cure of this cancer type. Recent studies have shown that ceramide induces apoptosis at its increased levels in the cells. Thus, many studies have been conducted to cause the accumulation of ceramide molecules in the cell by different ways to induce apoptosis. NOE (Noleoylethanolamine) is a specific inhibitor of ceramidase enzymes that hydrolyze intracellular ceramides and prevent apoptosis. <P> Objective: This study investigates the cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing activities of NOE on human osteosarcoma Saos-2 cells. <P> Methods: Cytotoxic effects were investigated by MTT colorimetric assay. For the detection of morphological and ultrastructural indicators of apoptosis, confocal and TEM techniques were used. <P> Results: Our finding indicated that NOE is effective in the inhibition of the growth of Saos-2 cells. Confocal and TEM findings showed morphological and ultrastructural changes as chromatin condensation, fragmentation of nuclei and mitochondria as well as damaged cytoskeleton and cell shrinkage. <P> Conclusion: The results revealed that NOE exerts its cytotoxicity on Saos-2 cells through changing the ultrastructure and morphology of cells with clear apoptotic sparks.

Keywords:

Cancer, apoptosis, osteosarcoma, N-oleoylethanolamine, sphingolipids, ceramidases, cytotoxicity.

Affiliation:

Eskisehir Technical University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Eskişehir, Eskisehir Technical University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Eskişehir, Eskisehir Technical University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Eskişehir, Eskişehir City Hospital, Brain Surgery Clinic, Eskişehir, Eskisehir Technical University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Eskişehir

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