We have investigated in Ehrlich-ascites-tumour-bearing mice the effect of buthionine sulphoximine (BSO), a selective inhibitor of GSH synthesis, on the rate of GSH depletion of tumour versus normal tissues and its relation to tumour cell proliferation. In normal tissues, GSH and GSSG remain unchanged or close to normal values during tumour growth, even at the last stage of growth when the animal is close to death. After administration of a single dose of BSO (4 mmol/kg), the rates of GSH depletion and recovery in the tumour and in several normal tissues are very different. BSO depletes GSH in cancer cells to a level of 0.3-0.4 mumol/g. The fall in GSH levels is faster when tumour cells do not proliferate actively. Four treatments of 4 mmol of BSO/kg at 48 h intervals induce a significant decrease (about 44%) in tumour growth. Our data show that the rate of BSO-induced GSH depletion in cancer cells depends on the stage of tumour growth, and that BSO administration also inhibits cancer-cell proliferation. A mechanism involving changes in protein kinase C activity and intracellular pH is proposed to explain the inhibition of cancer growth elicited by BSO.

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We have investigated the effect of extracellular ATP on tumour-cell proliferation and GSH levels in Ehrlich-ascites-tumour-bearing mice. After daily administration of exogenous ATP (1 mmol/kg) during 7 days, we found a 56% inhibition of tumour growth, precisely when controls show the highest rates of cell proliferation and the highest levels of GSH. This effect is accompanied by a decrease in GSH content in the tumour, but not in normal tissues. The decrease in GSH concentration within the cancer cells is associated with a decrease in gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase activity and in protein synthesis. Growth inhibition is mediated by generation of extracellular adenosine, which subsequently increases intracellular levels of ATP and decreases intracellular levels of UTP in the cancer cells. Our results suggest that inhibition of tumour growth by ATP is due to an adenosine-dependent pyrimidine starvation effect.

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The stability of a recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) freeze-dried formulation for wound healing by intra-lesional injections was assessed. The suitability of packaging material for the light protection of finished dried powder was evaluated after stressed exposure conditions. Degradation kinetics of powder for injection was investigated at concentrations of 25-250 μg/vial and temperatures of 45, 60, and 70 °C. The accelerated, long-term, and reconstitution stabilities were examined according to ICH guidelines for their utility time. The stability of rhEGF samples was analyzed by different chemical, physical, and biological activity assays. Results show that freeze-dried rhEGF in primary packaging only was photosensitive, as degradation by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography that was completely suppressed by the secondary carton package was revealed. An increase in freeze-dried rhEGF stability was observed with the increase in protein concentration. No significant rhEGF degradation or physical changes were observed within the freeze-dried formulations after 6 months storage at 25 ± 2 °C/60 ± 5% relative humidity or 24 months storage at 2-8 °C. No physical, chemical, or biological changes were observed for rhEGF after reconstitution in water for injection or 0.9% sodium chloride after 24 h storage at 2-8 °C.