Modulation of glutathione level in cultured human melanoma cells.

The effects of buthionine sulphoximine (BSO) treatment on cellular glutathione (GSH) content and on the cytotoxic action of menadione were investigated in cultured IGRI human melanoma cells. Addition of BSO (10(-8)-0.5 X 10(-3) M) to the cultures resulted in a dose- and time-dependent depletion of cellular GSH. BSO (10(-5) and 10(-6) M) did not influence cell multiplication up to 48 h, as determined by trypan blue staining. Menadione (3 X 10(-5) M) treatment decreased the cellular GSH concentration and also reduced cell number after a 24 h exposure. Its cytotoxicity was increased by BSO (10(-5), 10(-6) M), though the potentiating effect was moderate.