Autoschizic Death of Human Ovarian Carcinoma (MDAH 2774) Cells: LM and SEM Aspects

Abstract Co-administration of Vitamin C (VC) and Vitamin K3 (VK3) combination (in a VC/VK3 ratio of 100:1) to several human carcinoma cell lines resulted in equivalent antineoplastic activity at concentrations that were 10-50 times lower than when either vitamin was administered alone. Peroxides generated by VC resulted in membrane lipid alteration. VC and VK3 combination resulted in cytoskeletal alterations, DNAses and RNase activation. This report documents LM and SEM morphological changes of ovarian carcinoma cells which accompany vitamin treatment and lead to autoschizic cell death. MDAH cells were cultivated in titer dishes and on coverslips coated with polylysine. After exposure to either VC, VK3, or the VC/VK3 combination for 1 hour, cells on coverslips were fixed and processed for SEM. Cells in dishes (105 cells) were harvested, centrifuged (<500 r/min), fixed and embedded in PolyBed. Sections, oneurn thick, were stained by Toluidine blue prior to LM and TEM studies.