Nitric Oxide Donors or Nitrite Counteract Copper-[dithiocarbamate]₂-Mediated Tumor Cell Death and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Down-Regulation: Possible Role of a Nitrosyl-Copper [Dithiocarbamate]₂ Complex

In contrast to other metal−dithiocarbamate [DEDTC] complexes, the copper−DEDTC complex is highly cytotoxic, inducing oxidative stress, preferentially in tumor cells. Because nitric oxide (NO) forms adducts with Cu[DEDTC]2, we investigated whether NO donors like S-nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine (SNAP) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and nitrite, a NO decomposition product, modulate Cu[DEDTC]2 cytotoxicity against human tumor cells. We show that...