Cytotoxic Impacts of N-Oleoylethanolamine in Bone Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a complex disease that is derived from the uncontrolled proliferation of cells. Bone cancer is a type of prevalent cancer that occurs both in youngsters and adults. Bone cancer is mostly common in the long bones of the pelvis, arms, and legs. Statistically, more than 200 cases of osteosarcoma have been reported annually in our country. Classical treatment with chemotherapeutics remains ineffective for the cure of this cancer. Recent studies have shown that ceramide induces apoptosis due to its increased levels in the cells. Thus, many studies have been conducted for the accumulation of ceramide molecules in the cell by different ways to induce apoptosis. NOE (N-oleoylethanolamine) is a specific inhibitor of ceramidase enzymes that hydrolyse intracellular ceramides and prevent apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing activities of NOE on human osteosarcoma Saos-2 cells.

METHODS: Cytotoxic effects were investigated by MTT colorimetric assay. For the detection of morphological and ultrastructural indicators of apoptosis, confocal and TEM techniques were used, respectively.

RESULTS: Our finding indicated that NOE is effective in the inhibition of the growth of Saos-2 cells. Confocal and TEM findings showed morphological and ultrastructural changes as chromatin condensation, fragmentations of nuclei and mitochondria, as well as damaged cytoskeleton and cell shrinkage.

CONCLUSION: The results revealed that NOE exhibits its cytotoxicity on Saos-2 cells by changing the ultrastructure and morphology of cells with clear apoptotic sparks.