The effect of Lonidamine (LND), an energolytic chemosensitizing agent,
on rite MDR (multidrug resistant) phenotype of a human breast cancer
cell line (MCF-7) has been studied. The intracellular adriamycin (ADR)
accumulation and distribution, the plasma membrane potential and the
P170 glycoprotein phosphorylation, have been analysed after LND treatm
ent. The analysis of the subcellular localisation of ADR in both wild
type and resistant MCF-7 cells treated with ADR or ADR + LND, revealed
that LND induced an ADR intracellular redistribution in both cell lin
es. MCF-7 ADR resistant cells exposed to LND (50 mu g/ml) showed a cha
nge in the electrical charges distribution across the plasma membrane
and a time-dependent reduction of P170 phosphorylation (70 % at 24 hr)
. These effects were associated with a marked increase in intracellula
r ADR accumulation in resistant cells.