Killing of Glucose-Deprived Hypoxic Cells with Moderate Hyperthermia

Abstract

Investigations were carried out to determine the importance of glucose as a modifying factor for hyperthermic cellular damage. [Human cervical carcinoma] HeLa S-3 cells were heated under oxic and hypoxic conditions, in the presence and absence of D-glucose. Temperatures as low as 41.degree. C selectively enhanced killing of the glucose deprived hypoxic cell. Glucose deprivation (37.degree. C, 2 h) or heat alone (41.degree. C for 2 h in regular medium with glucose) produced minimal cell kill under oxic or hypoxic conditions. No enhancement was seen with hyperthermia under oxic condition in the absence of glucose. The interplay between glucose concentration is important for hyperthermic cell kill.