| Summary: | Superoxide, a form of reactive oxygen species (ROS), is catabolized by superoxide dismutase (SOD) and contributes to carcinogenesis via the oxidative damage it inflicts on cells. The aim of this research was to analyze the potential vitamin D-mediated regulation of the antioxidative “SOD1-to-SOD2 switch” within the human MG-63 osteosarcoma model. For this study, real-time PCR analysis was performed using MG-63 cells exposed to metabolically active 1,25(OH)<sub>2</sub>D<sub>3</sub>. First, a sustained statistically significant >2-fold suppression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) transcripts was observed after 10 nM but not at 100 nM of 1,25(OH)<sub>2</sub>D<sub>3</sub> treatment, suggesting a cytostatic effect. In order to assess regulators of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, gene expression of COX2 and COX4l1 of the mitochondrial complex IV and antioxidative enzymes (SOD1, SOD2 and Catalase (CAT)) were monitored. For COX2 and COX4l1, no changes in gene expression were observed. However, a concomitant decrease in CAT and SOD1 mRNA, and increase in SOD2 mRNA after 24 h of 10 nM 1,25(OH)<sub>2</sub>D<sub>3</sub> treatment were observed. A ~8-fold increase in SOD2 mRNA was apparent after 48 ours. The significant increase in SOD2 activity in the presence of vitamin D indicates an antioxidant potential and sensitization of vitamin D during osteosarcoma transformation and mitochondrial detoxification over time.
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