Cellular and biochemical alterations in L6 myoblast cells induced by 6‐aminonicotinamide

Abstract The effects of antimetabolite 6‐AN (6‐amino nicotinamide) on viability and morphology of L6 myoblast cells have been investigated. 6‐AN (100 μM) induced a time‐dependent decrease in cell viability with respect to the untreated control cells. Following 6‐AN administration the viability rate started to decline sharply, reaching about 23% of the untreated control cells at 48 h. Inverted phase‐contrast microscopy revealed that 6‐AN caused characteristic morphological changes such as irregularly elongated and stellate shape of cells, round‐shaped nucleus, cytoplasmic vacuolization, irregular cell arrangements and formation of large spaces among cell clusters. The concentrations of ATP and NAD+ in the 6‐AN treated cells were significantly lower (p < 0.01) than those of the untreated control cells. In contrast, the concentration of AMP was significantly increased by the 6‐AN treatment. Activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in 6‐AN treated cells were significantly higher...