REDUCED GLUTATHIONE AND S-ACETYLGLUTATHIONE AS SELECTIVE APOPTOSIS-INDUCING AGENTS IN CANCER-THERAPY

The effect of reduced glutathione (GSH) and S-acetylglutathione (S-acg lu) treatment on several tumor cell lines and normal cells in vitro wa s investigated. GSH and S-acglu applied at concentrations of 1 mM and 2 mM induced apoptosis in malignant cells as shown by DNA-fragmentatio n and staining of apoptotic cells with 7-amino-actinomycin D while via bility and growth of normal cells were not significantly influenced by this treatment. The results demonstrated that GSH and S-acglu may be selective inducers of apoptosis in malignant cells.