Augmented gene expression of quinone reductase by 6-(methylsulfinyl)hexyl isothiocyanate through avoiding its cytotoxicity.

We examined both the induction of quinone reductase (QR) by 6-(methylsulfinyl)hexyl isothiocyanate and its cytotoxicity in Hepa1c1c7 cells, and compared the sensitivity of these two responses to NAC. QR activity was increased by 6-(methylsulfinyl)hexyl isothiocyanate in a dose-dependent manner. At 80 microM, the compound was significantly toxic to cells, but the resulting QR inhibition was dose-dependently overcome by NAC.