A proposal for the definition of Hirayama disease and monomelic amyotrophy.

BACKGROUND

Cancer cells become refractory to chemotherapy as a consequence of their overexpression of multidrug transporters.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The anticancer and multidrug resistance (MDR) reversal effects of the racemic form and the two enantiomers of thoridazine were investigated on a mouse T-lymphoma cell line over-expressing the ATP-binding cassette, subfamily-B (MDR/TAP), member 1 (ABCB1) transporter (also known as P-glycoprotein) and on human PC3 prostate cancer cell line by 3-(4.5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2.5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The modulation of ABCB1 transporter activity was studied by rhodamine123 accumulation, the apoptosis-inducing effect was investigated using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled annexin V and propidium iodide.

RESULTS

The thioridazine racemic and (+) and (-) enantiomers were similarly effective. Drug accumulation by MDR mouse T-lymphoma cells was moderately modified in the presence of thioridazine derivatives. Thioridazine induced apoptosis of the MDR cancer cell line, but there was no significant apoptotic effect on the PC3 cell line.

CONCLUSION

Apparently, the chirality of thioridazine has no importance in the inhibition of MDR phenotype of cancer cells.