The Effect of Antioxidants on Tumor Necrosis Factor Cytotoxicity

Abstract

Background : Tumor necrosis factor(TNF) has been considered as an important candidate for cancer gene therapy based on its potent anti-tumor activity. The mechanisms of TNF cytotoxicity are not clearly understood and some has reported that reactive oxygen species(ROS) might be associated with them, but there is controversy about antioxidant effect on TNF cytotoxicity. This study was designed to compare the TNF cytotoxicity after antioxidant pretreatment with that of control to evaluate the role of ROS in the mechanism of TNF cytotoxicity. Method : We compared the TNF cytotoxicies to WEHI164(murine fibrosarcoma cell line) and ME180(human cervix cancer cell line) after antioxidant pretreatment with those of control by MIT(dimethylthiazolyl-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Results : In the control group, the TNF cytotoxicities were (WEHI164) and (MEl80). In the TMTU(tetramethyl thiourea) pretreatment group, those were and . In the PMZ(promethazine) pretreatment group, those were and . In the BHT(butylated hydroxytoluene) pretreatment group, those were and . So there was no reduction in TNF cytotoxicity after antioxidants pretreatment. Conclusion : The ROS may not have major role in the mechanisms of TNF cytotoxicity.