Carbenoxolone, a new inducer of heat shock protein 70

Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is capable of protecting cells, tissues, orga ns, and animals from a subsequent, normally lethal heating, as well as from numerous disease states. Therefore, it would be of great therapeutic benef it to discover compounds that are clinically safe yet able to induce Hsp70 in patients. Carbenoxolone, an antiulcer drug, protects gastric mucosal cel ls against irritants in vivo and in vitro. We assessed here whether carbeno xolone induces Hsp70 expression in human cell lines. We found that carbenox olone increased the expression of Hsp70 protein and mRNA, and Hsp70 promote r activity. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.