Methoxy-stilbenes downregulate the transcription of Wnt/ß-catenin-dependent genes and lead to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human T98G glioblastoma cells.

PURPOSE: Glioblastoma is the most common and the deadliest brain cancer. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of resveratrol and its five analogs: 3,4,4'-trimethoxy, 3,4,2'-trimethoxy, 3,4,2',4'-tetramethoxy, 3,4,2',6'-tetramethoxy and 3,4,2',4',6'-pentamethoxy-trans-stilbenes (MS) on human glioblastoma T98G cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeation Assay (PAMPA) was used for the prediction of blood-brain barrier penetration ability of the tested stilbenes (PAMPA-BBB). MTT test was applied to analyze the cytotoxicity of the compounds, whereas their ability to inhibit Wnt/ß-catenin target genes expression was verified using qPCR. The potential DNA demethylating properties of the analyzed compounds were tested by Methylation-Sensitive High Resolution Melting (MS-HRM). Cell cycle distribution was tested using Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS), whereas apoptosis was analyzed using FITC Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining assay and Western blot. RESULTS: High blood-brain barrier permeability coefficient was obtained for both resveratrol as well as methoxy-stilbenes. Their ability to downregulate the expression of Wnt/ß-catenin pathway-related genes was confirmed. The 4'-methoxy substituted derivatives showed higher activity, whereas 3,4,4'-tri-MS was the most potent Wnt/ß-catenin pathway inhibitor. None of the compounds affected DNA methylation level of MGMT, SFRP1, or RUNX3, despite inducing moderate changes in the level of expression of epigenetic modifiers DNMT3B and TET1-3. Importantly, treatment with 3,4,4'-tri-MS and 3,4,2',4'-tetra-MS led to cycle arrest in the S phase and induced apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Both, resveratrol, as well as its synthetic methoxy-derivatives, should be further studied as promising adjuvants in glioblastoma treatment.

Antistress and antidepressant properties of dapoxetine and vortioxetine.

The studies aimed to determine the antidepressant efficacy of single and chronic administration of dapoxetine alone and vortioxetine alone, as well as in the combination of these drugs. An additional objective of the study was to measure the effect of the active substances on the corticosterone level in chronically stressed animals. The study was conducted on male Wistar rats using non­stressed and stressed groups (chronic restraint stress). The experiment comprised both forced swimming test (immobility time test) and corticosterone level measurement using Corticosterone ELISA Kit. The obtained results confirm the antidepressant efficacy of used drugs upon both single and chronic administration and potential efficacy of these drugs administered in combination with stressed rats. Corticosterone level analysis, meanwhile, showed stress relieving properties of the study drugs, which reduced the animal stress hormone level, whether administered separately or in combination. Dapoxetine and vortioxetine have an antidepressant and stress relieving effect on rats subject to chronic stress both in monotherapy and in combined therapy. Because both study drugs are new additions on the market, further research is necessary to prevent interactions related, for instance, with uncontrolled use of two drugs with similar mechanisms of action but prescribed in different indications (dapoxetine is commonly used to treat premature ejaculation).

Effect of methoxy stilbenes-analogs of resveratrol-on the viability and induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human myeloid leukemia cells.

The present study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity and its mechanism of five synthetic methoxy stilbenes, namely 3,4,4'-trimethoxy, 3,4,2'-trimethoxy, 3,4,2',4'-tetramethoxy, 3,4,2',6'-tetramethoxy, and 3,4,2',4',6'-pentamethoxy-trans-stilbenes (MS), in comparison with resveratrol (RSV). Human promyelocytic (HL-60) and monocytic leukemia (THP-1) cells were treated with the tested compounds for 24 h, and cytotoxicity, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis were evaluated. Significant differences were found in the susceptibility of these cell lines to all stilbenes, including RSV. The THP-1 cells were more resistant to cytotoxic activity of these compounds than HL-60 cells. Among the tested stilbenes, 3,4,4'-tri-MS and 3,4,2',4'-tetra-MS exhibited higher cytotoxicity toward both cell lines than RSV and the other methoxy stilbenes. This activity might be related to cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and induction of apoptosis. In this regard, 3,4,4'-tri-MS and 3,4,2',4'-tetra-MS at highest concentrations increased the p53 protein level particularly in HL-60 cells. Moreover, treatment with these derivatives increased the ratio of the proapoptotic Bax protein to the antiapoptotic Bcl-xl protein, suggesting the induction of apoptosis through the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway in both cell lines. Further studies are required to fully elucidate the mechanism of these activities.

Cytotoxic, tubulin-interfering and proapoptotic activities of 4'-methylthio-trans-stilbene derivatives, analogues of trans-resveratrol.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of a series of seven 4'-methylthio-trans-stilbene derivatives against cancer cells: MCF7 and A431 in comparison with non-tumorigenic MCF12A and HaCaT cells. The mechanism of anti-proliferative activity of the most cytotoxic trans-resveratrol analogs: 3,4,5-trimethoxy-4'-methylthio-trans-stilbene (3,4,5-MTS) and 2,4,5-trimethoxy-4'-methylthio-trans-stilbene (2,4,5-MTS) was analyzed and compared with the effect of trans-resveratrol. All the compounds that were studied exerted a stronger cytotoxic effect than trans-resveratrol did. MCF7 cells were the most sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of trans-resveratrol analogs with IC50 in the range of 2.1-6.0 µM. Comparing the cytotoxicity of 3,4,5-MTS and 2,4,5-MTS, a significantly higher cytotoxic activity of these compounds against MCF7 versus MCF12A was observed, whereas no significant difference was observed in cytotoxicity against A431 and HaCaT. In the series of 4'-methylthio-trans-stilbenes, 3,4,5-MTS and 2,4,5-MTS were the most promising compounds for further mechanistic studies. The proapoptotic activity of 3,4,5-MTS and 2,4,5-MTS, estimated with the use of annexin-V/propidium iodide assay, was comparable to that of trans-resveratrol. An analysis of cell cycle distribution showed a significant increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells and G2/M phase arrest in MCF7 and A431 as a result of treatment with 3,4,5-MTS, whereas trans-resveratrol tended to increase the percentage of cells in S phase, particularly in epithelial breast cells MCF12A and MCF7. Both trans-stilbene derivatives enhanced potently tubulin polymerization in a dose-dependent manner with sulfur atom participating in the interactions with critical residues of the paclitaxel binding site of ß-tubulin.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel combretastatin A-4 thio derivatives as microtubule targeting agents.

A series of novel combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) thio derivatives containing different molecular cores, namely α-phenylcinnamic acids (core 1), (Z)-stilbenes (core 2), 4,5-disubstituted oxazoles (core 3), and 4,5-disubstituted N-methylimidazoles (core 4), as cis-restricted analogues were designed and synthesized. They were selected with the use of a parallel virtual screening protocol including the generation of a virtual combinatorial library based on an elaborated synthesis protocol of CA-4 analogues. The selected compounds were evaluated for antiproliferative activity against a panel of six human cancer cell lines (A431, HeLa, MCF7, MDA-MB-231, A549 and SKOV) and two human non-cancer cell lines (HaCaT and CCD39Lu). Moreover, the effect of the test compounds on the inhibition of tubulin polymerization in vitro was estimated. In the series studied here, oxazole-bridged analogues exhibited the most potent antiproliferative activity. Compounds 23a, 23e, and 23i efficiently inhibited tubulin polymerization with IC50 values of 0.86, 1.05, and 0.85 µM, respectively. Thio derivative 23i, when compared to its oxygen analogue 23j, showed a 5-fold higher inhibitory impact on tubulin polymerization. Compounds 23e and 23i, which showed both best cytotoxic and antitubulin activity, were further studied in terms of their effect on cell cycle distribution and proapoptotic activity. Compound 23e induced a statistically significant block of the cell cycle at the G2/M phase in A431, HaCaT, HeLa, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and SKOV-3 cells to an extent comparable to that observed in CA-4. In HeLa and SKOV-3 cells incubated with 23i, a concentration-dependent block of the G2/M phase was observed. The proapoptotic effect of 23e and 23i in A431, HaCaT, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and SKOV-3 was demonstrated with ELISA assay and double staining with Annexin V-FITC/PI. The results indicated that compound 23e and 23i may serve as novel lead compounds in research on more effective anticancer agents.

The effect of resveratrol, its naturally occurring derivatives and tannic acid on the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in rat C6 and human T98G glioma cell lines.

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a potent chemopreventive and potentially cancer therapeutic agent. Since rapid metabolism limits resveratrol bioavailability, derivatives less prone to metabolic transformation are being sought and tested. We evaluated the effect of resveratrol, and its analogs (pterostilbene and 3,5,4'-trimethoxystilbene) along with tannic acid, on cell cycle and apoptosis in rat C6 and human T98G glioma cells. At concentration ranges both lower and higher than IC50 calculated based on MTT assay, all these polyphenols affected the cell cycle distribution. However, resveratrol and pterostilbene increased the percentage of the cells in S phase, while trimethoxystilbene (TMS) caused a massive accumulation of cells at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Tannic acid had no effect on cell cycle distribution in C6 cells, but increased the number of dead cells in both glioma cell lines. The ability to induce apoptosis by tannic acid and stilbenes was confirmed by phosphatidylserine externalization, the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and the level of cleaved caspase-3. The apoptosis rate was most significantly increased by TMS and this was related to p53 induction. These results indicate that methoxylated stilbenes are efficient inhibitors of glioma cell proliferation and apoptosis inducers and might be considered adjuvants in glioma therapy.

DNA damage and apoptosis in blood neutrophils of inflammatory bowel disease patients and in Caco-2 cells in vitro exposed to betanin.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic, relapsing, inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, and continuing colonic inflammation is considered an important risk factor in the development of colorectal cancer. Our previous studies showed that beetroot (Beta vulgaris var. rubra) products and their major component betanin modulate the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and DNA damage in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) stimulated human polymorphonuclear neutrophils of healthy volunteers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of betanin on the oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis in neutrophils isolated from blood of patients with inflammatory bowel disease--ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). The results were compared with those obtained in colon carcinoma-derived Caco-2 cells. Betanin treatment at the concentration of 100 µM for 24 h increased DNA damage assessed by comet assay in IBD patients' neutrophils. A similar effect although less pronounced was observed in Caco-2 cells. Treatment of Caco-2 cells with H2O2 caused a 4-fold increase of DNA strand breaks in comparison to untreated cells, but pre-treatment with betanin reduced DNA damage in these cells. Betanin also induced procaspase-3 cleavage and caspase-3 activity accompanied by the loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, indicating its pro-apoptotic activity. These results suggest that betanin may support mechanisms that lead to the release of ROS and apoptotic cell death. In this way betanin may exert anti-inflammatory and potentially cancer preventive activity.

Effect of tannic acid, resveratrol and its derivatives, on oxidative damage and apoptosis in human neutrophils.

In this study we compared the antioxidant and DNA protective activity of tannic acid and stilbene derivatives, resveratrol, 3,5,4(')-trimethoxystilbene (TMS) and pterostilbene in human neutrophils stimulated to oxidative burst by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in relation to apoptosis induction. All polyphenols within the concentration range 1-100 µM reduced the intracellular ROS and H2O2 production in the TPA-stimulated cells. Tannic acid was the most effective polyphenol in protection against DNA damage induced by TPA. In the resting neutrophils resveratrol and to lesser extent other polyphenols increased DNA damage and increased the level of p53. Pretreatment of the TPA-stimulated cells with tannic acid or stilbenes led to the induction of apoptosis. The most significant effect was observed as a result of treatment with TMS and resveratrol. These compounds appeared the most effective inducers of p53 in the TPA-challenged neutrophils, what may suggest that pro-apoptotic activity of these stilbenes might be related to p53 activation. Overall, the results of our present study demonstrate that tannic acid and stilbenes modulate the ROS production, ultimately leading to cell apoptosis in human neutrophils stimulated to oxidative burst. In resting neutrophils they exhibit pro-oxidant activity, which is accompanied by p53 induction.

The beetroot component betanin modulates ROS production, DNA damage and apoptosis in human polymorphonuclear neutrophils.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of betanin, one of the beetroot major components, on ROS production, DNA damage and apoptosis in human resting and stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate13-acetate polymorphonuclear neutrophils, one of the key elements of the inflammatory response. Incubation of neutrophils with betanin in the concentration range 2-500 µM resulted in significant inhibition of ROS production (by 15-46%, depending on the ROS detection assay). The antioxidant capacity of betanin was most prominently expressed in the chemiluminescence measurements. This compound decreased also the percentage of DNA in comet tails in stimulated neutrophils, but only at the 24 h time point. In resting neutrophils an increased level of DNA in comet tails was observed. Betanin did not affect the activity of caspase-3, in resting neutrophils, but significantly enhanced the enzyme activity in stimulated neutrophils. The western blot analysis showed, however, an increased level of caspase-3 cleavage products as a result of betanin treatment both in resting and stimulated neutrophils. The results indicate that betanin may be responsible for the effect of beetroot products on neutrophil oxidative metabolism and its consequences, DNA damage and apoptosis. The dose and time dependent effects on these processes require further studies.

In vitro effects of beetroot juice and chips on oxidative metabolism and apoptosis in neutrophils from obese individuals.

Oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in the development of obesity. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris var. rubra) is a food ingredient containing betalain pigments that show antioxidant activity. The in vitro effect of beetroot juice and chips on oxidative metabolism and apoptosis in neutrophils from obese individuals has been investigated. Fifteen obese women (aged 45 +/- 9 years, BMI >30 kg/m2) and nine healthy controls (women, aged 29 +/- 11 years, BMI = 22.2 +/- 1.6 kg/m2) were examined. The investigated products were used as concentrates and after transport and digestion in an artificial gastrointestinal tract. Neutrophil oxidant production, in response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, was characterized by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence and a flow cytometric dichlorofluorescin oxidation assay. Caspase-3 activity, a marker of apoptosis, was measured by cleavage of the fluorogenic substrate Ac-DEVD-AMC. Neutrophils from obese individuals had a significantly higher ROS production compared with the controls (p < 0.05). Beetroot products inhibited neutrophil oxidative metabolism in a concentration-dependent manner. Also observed were the pro-apoptotic effects of beetroot at a concentration range of 0.1-10% in 24 h culture of stimulated neutrophils. These natural products (in both the liquid and solid state) have antioxidant and antiinflammatory capacity, and could be an important adjunct in the treatment of obesity.

Citrus fruit flavonoids influence on neutrophil apoptosis and oxidative metabolism.

Citrus flavonoids are dietary antioxidants that may protect against oxidative stress linked to inflammation and reduce the risk of macromolecule damage caused by free radicals. Three citrus flavonoids - naringin, naringenin and hesperidin - have been examined for their ability to activate caspase-3, a marker of apoptosis execution, in human polymorphonuclear neutrophils in vitro, stimulated and non-stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. The flavonoid potency to reduce reactive oxygen species generation was also assessed in measurements of superoxide radical and luminol dependent chemiluminescence. The caspase-3 activity depended on the time of flavonoid treatment and was increased markedly in phorbol-treated cells incubated with flavonoids for 24 h. Hesperidin at a concentration of 100 microm exerted the strongest stimulating effect on the enzyme (137% of control). Flavonoids inhibited the neutrophil ability to generate superoxide radical and 10-100 microM hesperidin appeared the most active phytochemical. The antioxidant capacity of the examined flavonoids was most prominently expressed in the chemiluminescent measurements. The obtained results suggest that reactive oxygen species may inhibit apoptosis via caspase-3 inhibition and the antioxidant action of citrus flavonoids may reverse this process.

Cytotoxic activity of 3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexahydroxystilbene against breast cancer cells is mediated by induction of p53 and downregulation of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase.

The phytochemical resveratrol, which is found in grapes and red wine, has been reported to have a variety of biological properties. It was shown in our previous research that introduction of additional hydroxyl groups into the stilbene structure increases the biological activity of resveratrol. In this study, the activity of 3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexahydroxystilbene (M8) was investigated in ZR-75-1, MDA-MB-231 and T47D human breast cancer cells. For evaluation of cytotoxic activity of M8, clonogenic and cell proliferation assays were used. The IC50 values obtained in the clonogenic assay were 0.846 microM for T47D, 8.53 microM for ZR-75-1 cells and 25.5 microM for MDA-MB-231, while IC50 values obtained in the cell proliferation assay were significantly higher: 90.1 microM, 98.4 microM, 127.8 microM for T47D, ZR-75-1 and MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively. Compound M8 caused the activation of caspase-8 in MDA-MB-231 cells (marker of extrinsic apoptotic pathway), while activities of caspase-9 (marker of intrinsic apoptotic pathway) and caspase-3 were increased in all 3 tested cell lines. Activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 was connected with loss of mitochondrial potential and increase of p53, which could have an impact on downregulation of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) seen in our experiments. MnSOD is a key enzyme providing antioxidative defense in mitochondria - the cellular center of reactive oxygen species' generation. Downregulation of MnSOD can therefore cause a significant decrease of antioxidant defense in cancer cells. An increase of oxidative stress conditions was suggested by loss of reduced glutathione in tested cells. Since cancer cells are usually under permanent oxidative stress, additional increased ROS generation as a result of the interaction of M8 with the mitochondrial respiratory chain and a decrease in oxidative defense can therefore be a promising method for selective elimination of cancer cells.

Modulatory effect of chiral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on apoptosis of human neutrophils.

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are short-lived leukocytes that die by apoptosis. Although PMNs are crucial in the defense against infection, they have been implicated in the pathogenesis of tissue injury observed in inflammatory diseases. The induction or prevention of PMN apoptosis is currently discussed as a key event in the control of inflammation. Caspase-3 activation is the first step in the execution phase of apoptosis. In the study, effect of racemic mixtures and enantiomers of 2-arylpropionic acid derivatives: ketoprofen, flurbiprofen (FBP), and (+)-S-naproxen and 2-arylbutyric acid: indobufen on apoptosis activation via caspase-3 and phosphatidylserine (PS) translocation (annexin-V binding) in human neutrophils in vitro has been investigated. Caspase-3 activation was detected by Western blotting, fluorometric assay of DEVD-AMC cleavage, and flow cytometry with carboxyfluorescein (FAM) labeled caspase inhibitor. PMNs were isolated and cultured up to 24 h. The chiral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were found to modulate human PMN apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The greater activation of caspase was found at 75-150 microg/ml concentration of racemates as well enantiomers, especially for FBP, whereas NSAIDs at smaller quantities (15 microg/ml) were inactive. At concentration of 75 microg/ml, NSAIDs increased the rate of PS externalization in PMA-stimulated and non-stimulated neutrophils. Additionally, no cytotoxic effect of the NSAIDs was observed at concentration up to 75 microg/ml that induce apoptosis. Regulation of caspase activity by NSAIDs may represent a potent target to trigger apoptosis and resolve inflammatory disorders.

An in vitro study of the protective effect of the flavonoid silydianin against reactive oxygen species.

The inhibitory effect of silydianin, an active constituent of Silybium marianum, on the in vitro production and release of oxidative products has been examined. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) play a primary role in the initiation and propagation of inflammatory responses. Their apoptosis is a major mechanism associated with the resolution of inflammatory reactions. Neutrophils were assessed for caspase-3 activity, the rst step in the execution phase of apoptosis. When cells were cultured with 100 microM silydianin for 24 h, caspase-3 was activated. Induction of apoptosis by silydianin was accompanied by a decrease in luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence as well as superoxide radical (O2*-) release in freshly isolated cells and lipid peroxidation in mouse spleen microsomes. No significant effect of silydianin on PMN hydrogen peroxide production evaluated by a flow cytometric dichlorofluorescin oxidation assay was found. Such results indicate a possible antiinflammatory activity for silydianin, which regulates caspase-3 activation, affects cell membranes and acts as a free radical scavenger.

[Effect of tea polyphenols on oxidative metabolism of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in healthy and obese people]. / Polifenole czerwonej herbaty a aktywnosc metabolizmu tlenowego neutrofili u osób zdrowych i otylych.

UNLABELLED: Obese people are at high risk for developing diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases, which lead to an increased risk of mortality. Evidence for the potential role of oxidative stress in various diseases and pathophysiological processes suggests that the dietary intake and the therapeutic use of antioxidants may have positive health effects. The aim of the study was: 1) to investigate the ability of the major tea polyphenols: (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), theaflavins (TF) and gallic acid (GA) to protect in vitro human neutrophils from oxidative damage induced by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), 2) estimation the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in obese patient depending on the red tea Pu-Erh drinking, 3) estimation inflammatory marker: CRP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We tested 14 obese patients (aged 45+/-12 years, women, BMI=34+/-5.1 kg/m2). The inclusion criteria were based on physical examination, BMI, WHR, and the body composition examination based on bioimpedance method. PMA were isolated and oxidant production, in response to 1 microg/ml PMA, was characterized by the production of hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide and chemiluminescence intensity. CRP level was assayed by the immunoturbidimetric test in serum. Control group consisted of healthy blood donors. RESULTS: Women consuming red tea revealed alteration in reactive oxygen species generation; the relative decrease of RFT was greater after 5 months than that after 1 month of treatment. A decrease in ROS generation after red tea consumption was accompanied by the decrease of ROS in response to tested compounds in normal cells. EGCG and TF showed similar potency in antioxidative activities. Tea polyphenols were not found to modulate CRP level in obese women. CONCLUSIONS: Tea may thus represent an important source of dietary antioxidants; there is need for more detailed studies to improve our understanding of the role of tea in reducing risk of major disease states.

[Oxidative metabolism of neutrophils in obese patients before and during body mass reduction: the in vitro effect of quercetin and rutin]. / Metabolizm tlenowy granulocytów oboj tnochlonnych u pacjentek z otyloscia przed i w trakcie redukcji masy ciala: wplyw kwercetyny i rutyny in vitro.

Obese people are at high risk for developing diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases, which lead to an increased risk of mortality. Activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) generate extremely high amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS), but these are normally targeted at pathogens inside intracellular phagosomes. These same beneficial antimicrobial functions can cause significant local tissue injury and lead to the development of pathologic systemic inflammatory conditions. PMN apoptosis is a major mechanism associated with the resolution of inflammatory reactions. The goals of the present study were: 1) to evaluate the level of reactive oxygen species production in PMN from obese people before and during body mass reduction, 2) to investigate the in vitro effect of flavonoids: quercetin and rutin on oxidative metabolism and apoptosis of stimulated neutrophils in obese patient. We tested 30 obese patients (women) before body mass reduction and 20 patients during low calories diet. The inclusion criteria were based on physical examination, BMI, WHR, the body composition examination based on bioimpedance method and biochemical assessment. PMN were isolated and oxidant production, in response to 1 microg/ml PMA, was characterised by the production of hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide and chemiluminescence intensity. Caspase-3 activation was assayed by the method of DEVD-AMC cleavage in PMN cultured up to 24 hours. The results of our study showed: 1) the decrease in PMN oxidant production in patient during the mass reduction, 2) the strong antioxidant activity of quercetin and rutin in obese patients before and during the body mass reduction, these effects were dose dependent and rutin was less potent than quercetin, 3) acceleration of PMN apoptosis by rutin is associated with an increase in caspase 3 activity.