The effect of BBSKE on SACC cell lines in vitro

“Objective:” Human thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) system is an ubiquitous intracellular oxido-reductase system with antioxidant and redox regulatory ability. It is associated with cancer cell growth and anti-apoptosis. It offers a target for the anti-cancer drugs. The BBSKE (1,2-[bis(1,2-Benzisoselenazolone-3(2H)-ketone)]ethane) is synthesized by School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Its target is TrxR.

Salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC) is a frequently occurring malignant salivary gland neoplasm and resistant to conventional therapy. Therefore, the development of new chemotherapeutic drugs remains a challenge.

In this study, we investigated that whether BBSKE has inhibitory effect on salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma cell lines (SACC-83 and SACC-LM which has higher lung metastasis potential), and its possible mechanism of anticancer function.

“Method:” The effect of BBSKE on the growth of SACC-83 and SACC-LM cancer cells was determined by MTT assay. The Caspase-3 activity kit and DTNB assay are used to detect the activity of Caspase-3 and TrxR.

“Result:” The inhibitory rate of 20ìmol/ L BBSKE after exposure to SACC-83 and SACC-LM cells for 48h are 55.6% and 71%. The protein activities of Caspase-3 in SACC-LM at BBSKE 20ìmol/ L are 3.14 times, and in SACC-83 are 1.8 times as compared with control. The protein activities of TrxR in SACC-LM are 0.046±0.017 after exposure to 20ìmol/L BBSKE, they are lower than the control (0.124±0.017 ) p<0.05. However, the activity of TrxR in SACC-83 cell line has little change( p>0.05).

“Conclusion:” SACC-LM which has higher lung metastasis potential is more sensitive to BBSKE than SACC-83. This phenomenon may be associated with the activity changes of Caspase-3 and TrxR in both cell lines.

This research was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (39470754) and National 985 Plan (985-2-040-115).