Analysis of the combined effects of resveratrol and radiation on lung cancer cells

Abstract

Mucoepidermoid lung carcinoma is frequently manifested by obstructive trachea symptoms. It is necessary to develop effective curative or palliative therapeutic strategies for treating mucoepidermoid lung carcinoma through administration of compounds that improve ionizing radiation treatment, thereby increasing the effects of the treatment on tumor cells while minimizing the effects on normal tissues surrounding the tumor cells. Resveratrol is a polyphenolic phytoalexin present in wines and several plants and has a broad spectrum of biological activities, including antioxidant and anticarcinogenic effects. The biological effects of ionizing radiation plus resveratrol have been examined in different types of cell in many studies. Here, we aimed to verify the effects of resveratrol on mucoepidermoid lung carcinoma cells NCI-H292 exposed to ionizing radiation. In vitro studies in NCI-H292 cell culture using neutral red uptake assays showed that the cytotoxicity index (IC50) of resveratrol was 401.5 μM, and the lethal dose 50 % (LD50) of ionizing radiation in the absence of resveratrol was 693 Gy. In vitro micronucleus assays were then performed to verify the genotoxic effects of resveratrol, and fluorescence assays were performed to evaluate the effects of resveratrol on the cell cycle, repair and injury processes, cellular necrosis, and apoptosis. The results demonstrated that 30 μM resveratrol promote injury on NCI-H292 cells after 24 h of irradiation. Therefore, this study provides results able to support in vitro future investigations about radiosensitive potential of resveratrol in lung cancer cells. There is a need to investigate compounds with potential to improve the local control of lung cancer promoted by radiation therapy. This way avoiding injuries to healthy cells.