Effect of Curcumin on Cancer Invasion and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Activity in MDA-MB-231 Human Breast Cancer Cell

Curcumin has been known for its anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects on several cancer cells. We examined the inhibitory effects of curcumin on cancer cell adhesion, motility, invasion and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured with 0, 5, 10 or 20 micrometer of curcumin. Curcumin significantly inhibited the adhesion of cancer cells to the fibronectin at 20 micrometer and suppressed the motility and invasion of cancer cells at all concentrations. Also, the MMP-9 activity was inhibited by curcumin, but MMP-9 protein amounts were not affected. Our data indicate that curcumin inhibits motility, invasion and MMP-9 activity of MDA-MB- 231 cells. Therefore, curcumin may contribute to the potential beneficial food component to prevent the cancer metastasis in human breast cancer.

Effects of Epigallocatechin Gallate on Adhesion, Invasion and Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity in MDA-MB-231 Human Breast Cancer Cells

Tumor invasion is composed of four steps: cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix, degradation of the extracellular matrix components, tumor cell motility followed by cell detachment. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are important proteinases that associated with degradation of matrix component. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a major polyphenolic constituent of green tea. In the study, we examined the anti-invasive and MMP activity suppression effects of EGCG in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells were cultured with various concentrations 0 - 100 micrometer of EGCG. EGCG significantly inhibited the cell adhesion to the fibronectin. Cell motility through gelatin filter and invasion to Matrigel were inhibited dose-dependently by EGCG treatment. EGCG also inhibited the activities of MMP-2, -9 and the amount of MMP-9 (alpha = 0.05). Therefore, EGCG may contribute to the potential beneficial food component to prevent the invasion and metastasis in breast cancer.

Effects of Soyoligosaccharide on Lipid Metabolism in Rats Fed the High Fat or Low Fat Diet

This study investigated the effects of soyoligosaccharide consumption on lipid profile of plasma, liver and feces and immune responses in Sprague-Dawley male rats. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats 4-wk-old were provided the soyoligosaccharide containing diets for 4 weeks (0, 100 g/kg diet); each of these diets was supplemented with either 70 or 200 g fat/kg diet, giving a total of 4 experimental groups. The effect of weight reduction was most significantly observed in the group fed low fat and soyoligosacchairde diet. The plasma total lipid and cholesterol contents were not changed by either fat proportion or soyoligosaccharide supplementation in the diets. Also the plasma triglyceride lowering effect by soyoligosaccharide was not observed in rats fed either low fat or high fat diet. However, the significant decrease in TG contents was found with rats fed high fat diets compared to the control/no soyoligosaccharide diet. Elevation of plasma LDL-cholesterol and reduction of HDL-cholesterol by feeding high fat diet was not altered by supplementing soyoligosaccharide. This was also applied to the liver lipid profiles. The significant increases in liver total lipid, triglycerides and cholesterol by high fat diet was not abolished by feeding soyoligosaccharide. However, the desirable effects of feeding soyoligosaccharide were found with total lipid and cholesterol excretion through feces in rats fed high fat diets. Immune organ weights and spleen cell proliferations did not affected by experimental diets. These results demonstrated that soyoligosaccharide intakes increased the lipid output via feces, especially in rats fed the high fat diet, but more researches are needed on immune responses.

Effects of Soyoligosaccharide Intake on Fecal Bifidobacteria and Lipid Concentration in Korean Young Women

This study investigated the effects of soyoligosaccharide consumption on feces bifidobacteria proliferation and feces lipid profiles in Korean young women. Eight healthy young women (25 - 34 years) were fed 15 g/day of soyoligosaccharide solution, containing 3 g of oligosaccharide as form of raffinose and starchyose, for 15 days with their habitual meals. Soyoligosaccharde intake increased the numbers of fecal total bacteria significantly until 10 days (p < 0.05) and the numbers of fecal bifidobactreia were significantly increased until 15 days (p < 0.05). The fecal pH was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) by soyligosaccharide intake. Fecal lipid concentration showed the trend to increse, especially fecal triglyceride level was significantly increased by soyoligosaccharide intake (p < 0.05). The water contents of feces, the amount of feces, evacuation frequency and taking time to evacuation were not affected by soyoligosaccharide intake. The color of feces changed to yellow-brown, and hardness of stool and effort to evacuation were reduced by soyoligosaccharide intake. These results suggest that soyoligosaccharide intake (3 g/day) in young women improved the gut microflora and fecal lipid profile. Therefore, soyoligosaccharide has a potential to be used as one of the promising prebiotics, and controlled trials with larger sample sizes and longer duration are need to be studied further.

Effects of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) on Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) Activity and Cell Motility in Human Colon Cancer Cell Lines

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) consists of several geometric isomers of linoleic acid. CLA is found in foods derived from ruminants and exhibits strong anticarcinogenic effects in a variety of animal models. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a key role in cancer progression. Specifically, MMP-2 and -9, which hydrolyze the basal membrane type IV collagen, are involved in the initial breakdown of collagen and basement membrane components during tumor growth and invasion. However, the effects of CLA on cancer cell motility and MMP expression and activity are not currently well known. Therefore, the present study examined whether CLA reduces the activity of MMP and cell motility in SW480 and SW620 cells, the human colon cancer cell lines. Gelatin zymography and Western blot analysis revealed that phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) induced the activity and protein expression of Mr 92,000 MMP-9 in both cell lines. To examine whether CLA inhibits the MMP activity, cells were incubated with 100 ngfmL PMA in the presence of various concentrations of CLA. PMA-induced MMP-9 activity was decreased by 20 micrometer CLA in SW480 cells, and by 10 micrometer and 20 micrometer CLA in SW620 cells. Results from the Hoyden chamber assay showed that cell motility was increased by PMA and that PMA-induced cell motility was significantly decreased by 20 micrometer CLA in SW480 cells. These results indicate that CLA may reduce the motility and MMP activity in human colon cancer cells.

Effects of High Amylose Starch on Gut Functions in Rats

This study investigated the effects of high amylose starch (HAS) consumption on gut functions in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Experimental animals were fed an diet containing HAS for 4 weeks (0, 125, 250, 500 g/kg diet). Stool weights, transit time, the pH of cecum, Bifidobacterium growth, short chain fatty acid production, and prostaglandin E2 production in colon mucus were measured. HAS intake did not affect body weight gain or food efficiency ratio during experimental period. There were no significant differences in kidney weight, epididymal fat pad weights or spleen weights, but the weights of the liver and thymus were significantly lower in the HAS100 group. The length of the large intestine, the weights of the cecum wall and cecum contents, and stool weights significantly increased through HAS intake. But transit time was not affected by the experimental diet. Although Bifidobacterium growth in the cecum increased through the HAS intake dose dependently, there were significant differences in the HAS50 and HAS100 groups. HAS intake increased the production of short chain fatty acid in the cecum contents. In particular, acetate and butyrate concentrations grew significantly. And the production of prostaglandin E2 in the colon mucus significantly decreased through HAS intake. These results demonstrate that high amylose starch intake significantly improves gut function.