HYPERBARIC-OXYGEN ENHANCES THE EFFECTS OF METAIODOBENZYLGUANIDINE (MIBG) ON ENERGY-METABOLISM AND LIPID-PEROXIDATION IN THE HUMAN NEUROBLASTOMA CELL-LINE SK-N-BE (2C)

In this paper we report the effects of the combination of MIBG (a stru ctural analogue of norepinephrine, used in its radio iodinated form fo r the diagnosis and therapy of neuroblastoma) and hyperbaric oxygen on the human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-BE(2c). Exposure of the neurob lastoma cells to hyperbaric oxygen conditions enhanced the effects of MIBG on cell proliferation, lipid peroxidation and energy metabolism o f the cell line. Cell proliferation and energy metabolism were further decreased and lipid peroxidation further increased. Enhancement of th e effects of MIBG by HBO may provide an explanation for the positive e ffects on the cumulative survival curve observed with stage IV neurobl astoma patients were treated with the combination of [I-131] MIBG and HBO.