Cytotoxic Impact of N-Oleoylethanolamine on Bone Cancer Cells.

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. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing activities of NOE on human osteosarcoma Saos-2 cells. 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. 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. 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.

Correction to: Characteristics of apoptosis induction in human breast cancer cells treated with a ceramidase inhibitor.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s10616-020-00436-1.].

Characteristics of apoptosis induction in human breast cancer cells treated with a ceramidase inhibitor.

Cancer is a complex disease with high mortality rates. Breast cancer is one of the most fatal diseases both for men and woman. Despite the positive developments on cancer treatment, a successful treatment agent/method has not been developed, yet. Recently, cancer research has been involved in sphingolipid metabolism. The key molecule here is ceramide. Ceramides mediate growth suppress, apoptosis and aging regulation. Ceramidases metabolize ceramide and decrease its level in cells and cause escape the death. Inhibition of ceramidases as new targets for cancer treatment is shown in the literature. Herein, we found that d-erythro-MAPP and its nanoparticle formulation, reduce the viability of MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 value of 4.4 µM, and 15.6 µM, respectively. Confocal and transmission electron microscopy results revealed apoptotic morphological and ultrastructural changes for both agents. Apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were supported by annexin-V, mitochondrial membrane potential changings and cell cycle analysis, respectively.