ABSTRACT
Yogurt consumption has been associated with decreased risk of colon cancer. The apoptosis induced by yogurt as a mechanism involved in the inhibition of an experimental intestinal tumor induced by 1,2 dimethylhydrazine (DMH) in BALB/c mice, has been studied. An imbalance between apoptosis and mitosis or cell proliferation is believed to underlie colon cancer development and progression. We determined the effect of yogurt feeding in the induction of apoptosis and the relationship between mitosis and apoptosis in mice injected with the carcinogen DMH and in mice injected with DMH and fed with a diet supplemented with yogurt. The percentage of mitotic and apoptotic cells was analyzed every 2 weeks from week 8 to 16. They were analyzed on histological slices from the large intestine by colchicine, or Tunel test for mitosis and apoptosis determination, respectively. An increase in the mitosis during the first 4 weeks of tumor development with apoptosis negative and severe dysphasia, was observed in animals treated with the carcinogen. In those animals that received DMH and were given yogurt, a moderate cell proliferation with a significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells was determined. The increase in the apoptotic activity was also observed in the group of animals that received only a diet supplemented with yogurt. The results suggest that yogurt would influence the balance between mitosis and apoptosis, which was modified during the carcinogenesis process, by increasing cellular apoptosis. Dietary supplementation of yogurt may play a role in modulating cell proliferation or apoptosis during the development of colorectal carcinoma.
ABSTRACT
In order to grow, solid tumors need to develop new blood vessels. Neoplastic cells secrete growth factors that stimulate angiogenesis and tumor growth. Since Carrageenan acts as in vitro blocking agent which interferes with growth factor-receptor binding, we tested its action in vivo in order to analyze its growth inhibition capability in an experimental murine fibrosarcoma model. Indomethacin was used as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent to neutralize the inflammatory action of Carrageenan. A murine fibrosarcoma was induced with methylcholanthrene in Balb/c mice and maintained by serial passage of tumor cells in mice of the same strain. Tumor volume was evaluated measuring two dimensions and applying the formula V = 0.4 x d2 x D. The mice with tumors were separated into groups; one of them was used as control and the other ones were treated with Indomethacin, Carrageenan and Carrageenan-Indomethacin. Tumor volume was compared between groups using the Student t Test. We demonstrated that Carrageenan and Indomethacin inhibit tumor growth. The inhibitory action of Carrageenan is significantly higher than the antitumoral effect of either Indomethacin or Carrageenan-Indomethacin.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/antagonists & inhibitors , Carrageenan/pharmacology , Fibrosarcoma/drug therapy , Indomethacin/antagonists & inhibitors , Receptors, Growth Factor/drug effects , Animals , Carcinogens , Carrageenan/therapeutic use , Female , Fibrosarcoma/chemically induced , Fibrosarcoma/metabolism , Male , Methylcholanthrene , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Neoplastic ProcessesABSTRACT
In order to grow, solid tumors need to develop new blood vessels. Neoplastic cells secrete growth factors that stimulate angiogenesis and tumor growth. Since Carrageenan acts as in vitro blocking agent which interferes with growth factor-receptor binding, we tested its action in vivo in order to analyze its growth inhibition capability in an experimental murine fibrosarcoma model. Indomethacin was used as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent to neutralize the inflammatory action of Carrageenan. A murine fibrosarcoma was induced with methylcholanthrene in Balb/c mice and maintained by serial passage of tumor cells in mice of the same strain. Tumor volume was evaluated measuring two dimensions and applying the formula V = 0.4 x d2 x D. The mice with tumors were separated into groups; one of them was used as control and the other ones were treated with Indomethacin, Carrageenan and Carrageenan-Indomethacin. Tumor volume was compared between groups using the Student t Test. We demonstrated that Carrageenan and Indomethacin inhibit tumor growth. The inhibitory action of Carrageenan is significantly higher than the antitumoral effect of either Indomethacin or Carrageenan-Indomethacin.