ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate whether difluromethylornithine (DFMO) can be used in the treatment of human leukemia. Methods The cell proliferation was detected by MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium)] assay after treatment of human lymphocyte Jurkat cells by DFMO (0 to 10 mmol/L) for 24 to 72 h. Enzyme activity of spermine oxidase (SMO) and acetylpolyamine oxidase (PAO) was determined by chemiluminesence assay. DNA fragmentation assay was used to evaluate cell apoptosis. Fluorescent dye assay was performed to determine the changes in mitochondrial membrane potential. Western blotting was used to determine Bax content. Casepase-3 enzyme activity was measured by spectrophotometric method. Results DFMO treatment inhibited the proliferation of Jurkat cells significantly in a dosage- and time-dependent manner (P