JS-K enhances chemosensitivity of prostate cancer cells to Taxol via reactive oxygen species activation

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of the nitric oxide donor prodrug JS-K (C(13)H(16)N(6)O(8)) on Taxol-induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells, and to investigate a potential reactive oxygen species (ROS)-associated mechanism. The effect of JS-K on the anticancer activity of Taxol was assessed in prostate cancer cells; cell viability, colony formation, apoptosis, ROS generation and expression levels of apoptosis-associated proteins were investigated. The function of ROS accumulation in the combined effects of JS-K and Taxol was determined using the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and the pro-oxidant oxidized glutathione (GSSG). The results of the present study demonstrated that JS-K was able to increase Taxol-induced suppression of prostate cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, ROS accumulation and upregulation of apoptosis-associated proteins. Furthermore, NAC reversed the effect of JS-K on Taxol-induced apoptosis and conversely, the pro-oxidant GSSG exacerbated the effect of JS-K on Taxol-induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. In conclusion, JS-K enhances the chemosensitivity of prostate cancer cells to Taxol, via the upregulation of intracellular ROS.