Deltamethrin is a synthetic
pyrethroid insecticide used extensively in pest control. Although
deltamethrin has been shown to induce cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) rises and apoptosis in different
cancer cells, there is no information concerning the effects of
deltamethrin on
oral cancer. This study explored the effects of
deltamethrin on [Ca(2+)]i and viability in OC2 human
oral cancer cells.
Deltamethrin, at concentrations of 5-10 μM, increased [Ca(2+)]i in a concentration-dependent manner. The Ca(2+) signal was reduced partly by removing extracellular Ca(2+).
Deltamethrin-induced [Ca(2+)]i rise was not inhibited by
econazole, SK&F96365,
phorbol 12-myristate 13
acetate (PMA) or
GF109203X, but was inhibited by
nifedipine. In Ca(2+)-free medium, 10-μM
deltamethrin pretreatment inhibited the [Ca(2+)]i rise induced by the endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) pump inhibitor,
2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone (BHQ). Conversely, pretreatment with BHQ inhibited
deltamethrin-induced [Ca(2+)]i rise. Inhibition of
inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation with
phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor
U73122 did not suppress
deltamethrin-induced Ca(2+) release. At concentrations between 20 and 100 μM,
deltamethrin killed cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The cytotoxic effect of
deltamethrin was not reversed by prechelating cytosolic Ca(2+) with
1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid/acetoxymethyl.
Deltamethrin-induced cell death was not caused by a preceding [Ca(2+)]i rise.
Annexin V/
propidium iodide staining data suggest that
deltamethrin (40-60 μM) induced apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. To conclude, in OC2 cells,
deltamethrin evoked a [Ca(2+)]i rise by inducing PLC-independent Ca(2+) release from the endoplasmic reticulum and Ca(2+) entry by
nifedipine-sensitive Ca(2+) channels. Further,
deltamethrin induced Ca(2+)-independent cell death might involve apoptosis.