Analysis of sitosteryl oleate esters in phytosterols esters enriched foods by HPLC-ESI-MS(2.).

Phytosteryl esters (PE)-enriched spreads are marketed for eating and cooking purposes. Temperature and also light exposure are the major factors leading to the formation of PE oxides in food matrix. In this study a high-speed HPLC-MS(2) method was developed to analyze the major PE present in PE-enriched spreads: sitosteryl oleate (SO) and its oxidation products, by using synthesized compounds as standards. This analytical method was used to quantify seven SO oxides formed in PE-enriched spreads after heating at different temperatures for varying time periods and after prolonged exposure to sunlight. Quantification of remaining native SO was also performed after these different treatments. It was found that under specific heating conditions the decrease of the SO amount was much more important compared to the formation of SO oxides showing that many other products are formed. In contrast to heating, sunlight radiation did not result in the degradation of SO and very few oxides were formed.

Methanolic extract of white asparagus shoots activates TRAIL apoptotic death pathway in human cancer cells and inhibits colon carcinogenesis in a preclinical model.

Shoots of white asparagus are a popular vegetable dish, known to be rich in many bioactive phytochemicals reported to possess antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities. We evaluated the anticancer mechanisms of a methanolic extract of Asparagus officinalis L. shoots (Asp) on human colon carcinoma cells (SW480) and their derived metastatic cells (SW620), and Asp chemopreventive properties were also assessed in a model of colon carcinogenesis. SW480 and SW620 cell proliferation was inhibited by 80% after exposure to Asp (80 µg/ml). We demonstrated that Asp induced cell death through the activation of TRAIL DR4/DR5 death receptors leading to the activation of caspase-8 and caspase-3 and to cell apoptosis. By specific blocking agents of DR4/DR5 receptors we were able to prevent Asp-triggered cell death confirming the key role of DR4/DR5 receptors. We found also that Asp (80 µg/ml) was able to potentiate the effects of the cytokine TRAIL on cell death even in the TRAIL-resistant metastatic SW620 cells. Colon carcinogenesis was initiated in Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injections of azoxymethane (AOM), once a week for two weeks. One week after (post-initiation) rats received daily Asp (0.01%, 14 mg/kg body weight) in drinking water. After 7 weeks of Asp-treatment the colon of rats exhibited a 50% reduction of the number of preneoplastic lesions (aberrant crypt foci). In addition Asp induced inhibition of several pro-inflammatory mediators, in association with an increased expression of host-defense mediators. In the colonic mucosa of Asp-treated rats we also confirmed the pro-apoptotic effects observed in vitro including the activation of the TRAIL death­receptor signaling pathway. Taken together, our data highlight the chemopreventive effects of Asp on colon carcinogenesis and its ability to promote normal cellular homeostasis.

Epigenetic effects of the natural flavonolignan silibinin on colon adenocarcinoma cells and their derived metastatic cells.

Epigenetic modifications are important in tumorigenesis. The most frequent epigenetic phenomena in cancer are histone deacetylation and DNA hypermethylation, which lead to gene silencing, particularly of tumor suppressor genes. However, monotherapies with histone deacetylase (HDAC) or DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors lack efficacy, hence there is a need to enhance their anticancer action in a safe and effective combination therapy. The present study investigated the epigenetic effects of the natural flavonolignan silibinin in a model of colon cancer progression, the primary adenocarcinoma cells SW480 and their derived metastatic cells SW620. Silibinin did not change the activity of HDACs, but it was able to significantly inhibit DNMT activity in both SW480 and SW620 cells. The clinically used HDAC inhibitor, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), and the broad spectrum HDAC inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA), combined with silibinin demonstrated synergistic effects on cell death induction, may be related to its DNMT inhibition properties. The present data suggest that treatments combining silibinin and HDAC inhibitors may represent a promising approach, given the non-toxic nature of silibinin and the fact that HDAC inhibitors selectively target cancer cells.

Apple procyanidins affect several members of the ErbB receptor tyrosine kinase family in vitro.

Complex polyphenol-rich extracts from apples are known to inhibit the activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in vitro. The aim of the present study was to identify the bioactive constituents of the apple juice extract which contribute substantially to this potentially chemopreventive effect and to address the question whether the effect is specific to the EGFR or whether other members of the ErbB-receptor family might also be affected. Apple-derived dihydrochalcones and their respective glycosides were found to decrease EGFR activity under cell-free conditions with IC50-values ranging from 0.4 ± 0.1 to 267.0 ± 50.0 µM but showed no activity on human cancer cells. The concentration of quercetin or its glycosides in the extract was too low to contribute substantially to the EGFR-inhibitory properties. In contrast, fractions derived from the apple juice extract comprising ≥86% oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs) suppressed the activity of the EGFR in cell culture with an IC50 ∼ 100 µg mL(-1). In addition, the activity of further members of the ErbB-receptor family was potently inhibited, with ErbB3 receptor activity being most potently decreased (IC50 ∼ 10 µg mL(-1)). From the apple polyphenols identified so far OPCs were found to add the highest contribution to the inhibitory effects towards members of the ErbB-receptor family. Considering the crucial role of the ErbB-receptors in carcinogenesis, these results support the hypothesis that apple-derived OPCs as well as OPC-rich apple preparations might be of interest with respect to chemoprevention.

Silibinin inhibits tumor growth in a murine orthotopic hepatocarcinoma model and activates the TRAIL apoptotic signaling pathway.

AIM: The present study investigated the molecular mechanism of silibinin-induced antitumoral effects in hepatocarcinoma Hep-55.1C cells in vitro and in a hepatocarcinoma model in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell death was analyzed by flow cytometry. The genetic expression of apoptotic and inflammatory biomarkers was assessed by quantitative Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Orthotopic grafting of Hep-55.1C cells into the liver of C57BL/6J mice was performed, and tumor growth was followed by micro-computed imaging. RESULTS: Silibinin activated the extrinsic apoptotic pathway in Hep55.1C cells, as attested by the up-regulation of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and TRAIL Death receptor 5 (DR5) transcripts, and by the activation of caspase-3 and -8. After grafting of Hep-55.1C cells into mouse liver, the oral administration of silibinin at 700 mg/kg body weight for four weeks caused a significant reduction of tumor growth, associated with the down-regulation of inflammatory components [matrix metalloproteinase -7 and -9, (MMP-7, MMP-9), Interleukin-1 beta (IL1ß)], the up-regulation of apoptotic mediators (TRAIL, DR5), and caspase-3 activation. CONCLUSION: Silibinin treatment exerted important anticarcinogenic effects, including the activation of TRAIL death receptor apoptotic signaling pathway in Hep-55.1C hepatocarcinoma cells, both in vitro and in hepatocarcinoma grafts in mice.

Silibinin, a natural flavonoid, modulates the early expression of chemoprevention biomarkers in a preclinical model of colon carcinogenesis.

The flavonolignan silibinin, the major biologically active compound of the milk thistle (Silybum marianum), has been shown to possess anticancer properties in a variety of epithelial cancers. The present study investigated the potential of silibinin as a chemopreventive agent in colon carcinogenesis. The rat azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon carcinogenesis model was used because of its molecular and clinical similarities to sporadic human colorectal cancer. One week after AOM injection (post-initiation), Wistar rats received daily intragastric feeding of 300 mg silibinin/kg body weight per day until their sacrifice after 7 weeks of treatment. Silibinin-treated rats exhibited a 2-fold reduction in the number of AOM-induced hyperproliferative crypts and aberrant crypt foci in the colon compared to AOM-injected control rats receiving the vehicle. Silibinin-induced apoptosis in the colon mucosal cells was demonstrated by flow cytometry after propodium iodide staining and by colorimetric measurement of caspase-3 activity. Mechanisms involved in silibinin-induced apoptosis included the downregulation of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and upregulation of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax, inverting the Bcl-2/Bax ratio to <1. This modulation already takes place at the mRNA expression level as shown by real-time RT-PCR. Furthermore, silibinin treatment significantly (P<0.01) decreased the genetic expression of biomarkers of the inflammatory response such as IL1ß, TNFα and their downstream target MMP7, all of them shown to be upregulated during colon carcinogenesis. The downregulation of MMP7 protein was confirmed by western blot analysis. The present findings show the ability of silibinin to shift the disturbed balance between cell renewal and cell death in colon carcinogenesis in rats previously injected with the carcinogen AOM. Silibinin administered via intragastric feeding exhibited potent pro-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory and multi-targeted effects at the molecular level. The effective reduction of preneoplastic lesions by silibinin supports its use as a natural agent for colon cancer chemoprevention.

The flavonolignan silibinin potentiates TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human colon adenocarcinoma and in derived TRAIL-resistant metastatic cells.

Silibinin, a flavonolignan, is the major active component of the milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum) and has been shown to possess anti-neoplastic properties. TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising anti-cancer agent which selectively induces apoptosis in cancer cells. However, resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis is an important and frequent problem in cancer treatment. In this study, we investigated the effect of silibinin and TRAIL in an in vitro model of human colon cancer progression, consisting of primary colon tumor cells (SW480) and their derived TRAIL-resistant metastatic cells (SW620). We showed by flow cytometry that silibinin and TRAIL synergistically induced cell death in the two cell lines. Up-regulation of death receptor 4 (DR4) and DR5 by silibinin was shown by RT-PCR and by flow cytometry. Human recombinant DR5/Fc chimera protein that has a dominant-negative effect by competing with the endogenous receptors abrogated cell death induced by silibinin and TRAIL, demonstrating the activation of the death receptor pathway. Synergistic activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9 by silibinin and TRAIL was shown by colorimetric assays. When caspase inhibitors were used, cell death was blocked. Furthermore, silibinin and TRAIL potentiated activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and down-regulated the anti-apoptotic proteins Mcl-1 and XIAP. The involvement of XIAP in sensitization of the two cell lines to TRAIL was demonstrated using the XIAP inhibitor embelin. These findings demonstrate the synergistic action of silibinin and TRAIL, suggesting chemopreventive and therapeutic potential which should be further explored.

Silibinin triggers apoptotic signaling pathways and autophagic survival response in human colon adenocarcinoma cells and their derived metastatic cells.

Silibinin, a flavonolignan isolated from the milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum), possesses anti-neoplastic properties. In vitro and in vivo studies have recently shown that silibinin inhibits the growth of colorectal cancer (CRC). The present study investigates the mechanisms of silibinin-induced cell death using an in vitro model of human colon cancer progression, consisting of primary tumor cells (SW480) and their derived metastatic cells (SW620) isolated from a metastasis of the same patient. Silibinin induced apoptotic cell death evidenced by DNA fragmentation and activation of caspase-3 in both cell lines. Silibinin enhanced the expression (protein and mRNA) of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) death receptors (DR4/DR5) at the cell surface in SW480 cells, and induced their expression in TRAIL-resistant SW620 cells normally not expressing DR4/DR5. Caspase-8 and -10 were activated demonstrating the involvement of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway in silibinin-treated SW480 and SW620 cells. The protein Bid was cleaved in SW480 cells indicating a cross-talk between extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathway. We demonstrated that silibinin activated also the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in both cell lines, including the perturbation of the mitochondrial membrane potential, the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol and the activation of caspase-9. Simultaneously to apoptosis, silibinin triggered an autophagic response. The inhibition of autophagy with a specific inhibitor enhanced cell death, suggesting a cytoprotective function for autophagy in silibinin-treated cells. Taken together, our data show that silibinin initiated in SW480 and SW620 cells an autophagic-mediated survival response overwhelmed by the activation of both the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways.

Differential activation of Fas (CD95) mediated apoptosis by apple procyanidins in human colon cancer cells SW480 and their derived metastatic cells SW620 / Activación diferencial de la apoptosis vía Fas (CD95) por procianidinas de manzana en células humanas de cáncer de colon y sus derivadas metastásicas

Introduction: We investigated the effects of apple procyanidins (Pcy), oligomers of catechins and epicatechins on Fas receptor expression and function in human colon adenocarcinoma cells (SW480) and in their derived metastatic cells (SW620).Methods: Pcy were characterized by reverse-phase HPLC. Cell death, Fas proteins, DNA fragmentation, and mitochondrial membrane potential were analyzed by flow cytometry. Fas mRNA was analyzed by RT-PCR in real time.Results: Pcy up-regulated the expression of the Fas receptor at the cell surface of both cell lines but activated Fas gene transcription only in SW620 cells. In SW480 cells, Pcy combined with Fas agonist CH-11 enhanced Fas-mediated apoptosis involving the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA fragmentation, which were abrogated by the antagonist antibody of Fas receptor, the anti-Fas ZB4. On the contrary, in SW620 cells, CH-11 was not able to enhance Pcy-triggered apoptosis indicating that Fas receptor-mediated apoptosis was not activated in these cells despite an up-regulation of Fas receptor gene expression. However, it was observed in SW620 cells that Pcy activated the Fas receptor-mediated apoptotic pathway after a specific blockage of TRAIL-death DR4/DR5 receptors.Conclusions: The present data showed that Pcy were able to activate the Fas receptor apoptotic pathway in SW480 cells and favored a cross-talk between TRAIL and Fas receptors in SW620 cells because specific blocking of TRAIL death receptors favored activation of the Fas receptor-mediated apoptosis. These important data may allow the emergence of new therapeutic protocols targeting death receptors against resistant metastatic cells.

Introducción: Se estudiaron los efectos de procianidinas (Pcy) de manzana, oligómeros de catequinas y epicatequinas en la expresión y función del receptor Fas en células humanas de cáncer de colon (SW480) y sus derivadas metastásicas (SW620).Métodos: Las Pcy se caracterizaron por cromatografía líquida de alta presión (HPLC) en fase-reversa. Se analizaron por citometría de flujo la muerte celular, la proteína Fas, la fragmentación del ADN y el potencial de la membrana mitocondrial. Se analizaron los transcriptos de Fas por RT-PCR en tiempo real.Resultados: Las Pcy aumentaron la expresión del receptor Fas en la superficie celular de ambas líneas celulares pero la transcripción del gen Fas fue activado transcripcionalmente sólo en las células SW620. En las células SW480, las Pcy combinadas con el agonista de Fas CH-11 potenció la apoptosis mediada por Fas involucrando la pérdida del potencial mitocondrial de membrana y la fragmentación del ADN los cuales fueron evadidos por el anticuerpo antagonista del receptor Fas anti-ZB4. Por el contrario, en las células SW620, CH-11 no fue capaz de potenciar la apoptosis activada por Pcy indicando que la apoptosis mediada por el receptor Fas no fue activada en estas células a pesar del aumento en la expresión de Fas por regulación a nivel transcripcional. Sin embargo, se observó en las células SW620 que las Pcy activaron la vía apoptótica mediada por el receptor Fas después de un bloqueo específico de los receptores de muerte TRAIL DR4/DR5.Conclusiones: Estos datos muestran que las Pcy fueron capaces de activar la apoptosis a través del receptor Fas en las células SW480 y favorecieron un cross-talk (intercomunicación) entre los receptores TRAIL y Fas en las células SW620 debido a que el bloqueo específico de los receptores de muerte TRAIL favoreció la activación de la apoptosis mediada por el receptor Fas.

Lupulone triggers p38 MAPK-controlled activation of p53 and of the TRAIL receptor apoptotic pathway in human colon cancer-derived metastatic cells.

We previously reported that the chemopreventive agent lupulone induces apoptosis through activation of the extrinsic pathway via TRAIL DR4/DR5 death receptors overcoming SW620 cell resistance to TRAIL. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Since the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 control fundamental cellular processes such as apoptosis, we determined the role of these MAPKs in lupulone-triggered apoptosis. We analyzed the effects of JNK, ERK and p38 MAPK inhibitors on lupulone-induced apoptosis by flow cytometry using specific antibodies and real-time RT-PCR. Our data showed that among the MAPKs, only p38 played a major role in lupulone-triggered apoptosis. In contrast to JNK and ERK inhibition, the specific inactivation of p38 inhibited the lupulone-triggered up-regulation of p53 and TRAIL-death receptor DR4/DR5 expression, and prevented DNA fragmentation. Lupulone treatment enhanced the expression of the anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 protein by 60% favoring the preservation of mitochondrial integrity. The inactivation of p38 initiated a 50% reduction in Mcl-1, Bcl-2 and Bax expression without changing the Mcl-1/Bax ratio suggesting that p38 was not involved in the protective effect of lupulone on mitochondria. Our data support the view that the lupulone-triggered enhanced expression of p38 plays a major role in the activation of p53 and of the TRAIL-death receptor apoptotic pathway in SW620 human colon cancer-derived metastatic cells.

Early modulation of gene expression used as a biomarker for chemoprevention in a preclinical model of colon carcinogenesis.

By using the rat azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon carcinogenesis model, which mirrors many clinical features of human colorectal cancer, we examined whether genetic changes occurring early in colonic mucosa are predictive of treatment efficacy. In the present study the administration of the chemopreventive agent lupulone over the course of 7 weeks postinitiation reduced the number of preneoplastic lesions in the colonic mucosa by 50%. At the molecular level we observed the downregulation of genes involved in the inflammatory response, including IL-1ß and TNF-α, and of matrix metalloproteinase-7 gene and protein expression. We also observed a substantial upregulation of components of the innate immune system, α-defensin-5 and lipocalin 2. Lupulone induced the expression of apoptosis-related genes and caused a reversal of the B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 2 (Bcl-2; antiapoptotic) to Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax; proapoptotic) transcript and protein ratios (Bcl-2/Bax > 1 in AOM controls and Bcl-2/Bax < 1 in lupulone-treated AOM rats). Here, we identify several target genes that could be considered early biomarkers of colon carcinogenesis and indicative of drug efficacy.

Implicación de NF-kB y p53 en la expresión de receptores de muerte-TRAIL y apoptosis por procianidinas en células metastásicas humanas SW620 / Involvement of NF- B and p53 in the expression of TRAIL-death receptors and apoptosis by procyanidins in human metastatic SW620 cells

Introducción. Se ha demostrado que el factor nuclear-B y p53 aumentan los mediadores proapoptósicos como los receptores de muerte TRAIL-DR4/-DR5, según el estímulo y el tipo celular. Previamente demostramos que las procianidinas de manzana aumentaban la expresión de TRAIL-DR4/-DR5, superando la resistencia a TRAIL característica en células humanas metastásicas SW620 derivadas del cáncer de colon. Objetivo. Investigar si NF-B y p53 están involucrados en la apoptosis inducida por procianidinas en las células SW620. Materiales y métodos. La muerte celular y las proteínas p53, TRAIL-DR4/-DR5 se analizaron por citometría de flujo. Los ARN mensajeros (ARNm) de DR4/DR5 se analizaron por RT-PCR. Las formas activadas de p50/p65 y p53 se estudiaron por ELISA e inmunodetección.Resultados. La muerte celular activada por procianidinas fue prevenida por inhibidores específicos de NF-B y de p53: amino-4-(4-fenoxi-feniletilamino)-quinazolina y pifitrina α, respectivamente. La quinazolina y la pifitrina α inhibieron la activación dependiente de procianidinas de TRAIL-DR4/DR5. Sin embargo, el aumento en la expresión de TRAIL-DR4 disminuyó significativamente sólo cuando la quinazolina y la pifitrina α se usaron simultáneamente; este efecto no se observó con cada uno por separado. No se observaron para TRAIL-DR5 estos efectos, lo cual sugiere que la expresión de cada receptor de muerte TRAIL puede estar regulada en forma diferente.Conclusiones. Estos datos sugieren que NF-B y p53 se requieren parcialmente en la apoptosis de células SW620 inducida por procianidinas mediante el aumento en TRAIL-DR4/-DR5. La proporción de DR4/DR5 podría ser un factor determinante en la activación de la apoptosis por vía de TRAIL-DR4/-DR5.

Introduction. The nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-B) has been shown to upregulate pro-apoptotic mediators such as TRAIL-DR4/-DR5 receptors and the p53 transcription factor depending on the type of stimulus and the cell type involved. Previously, apple procyanidins (Pcy) have been shown to upregulate the expression of TRAIL-DR4/-DR5 and thereby overcoming the resistance of human colon cancer-derived metastatic SW620 cells to TRAIL. Objectives. NF-B and p53 were investigated for their involvement in the Pcy-triggered apoptosis of human derived-metastatic colon cancer (SW620) cells.Materials and methods. Cell death, p53, TRAIL-DR4/-DR5 proteins were analyzed by flow cytometry. DR4/DR5 mRNA was analyzed by RT-PCR in real time. Activated p50/p65 and p53 forms were studied by ELISA and immunoblotting. Results. Pcy-triggered cell death was prevented by specific inhibitors of NF-B and of p53: amino-4-(4-phenoxy-phenylethylamino) quinazoline (QNZ) and pifithrin α (Pα), respectively. QNZ and Pα inhibited the Pcy-dependent activation of TRAIL-DR4/-DR5 death receptors. However, the upregulation of TRAIL-DR4 by Pcy was significantly decreased only when NF-B and p53 inhibitors were used in combination; this effect was not observed with a single inhibitor. This effect was not observed for TRAIL-DR5 and suggested that the expression of each TRAIL-death receptor may be regulated differently. Conclusions. These data suggested that NF-B and p53 are partially required in Pcy-triggered apoptosis of SW620 cells by up-regulating the expression of TRAIL-DR4/-DR5. In addition, the ratio between TRAIL-DR4/-DR5 may be a determining factor in the activation of TRAIL-death receptor mediated apoptosis.

Pro-apoptotic effects of apple procyanidins in human colon cancer cells and their derived metastatic cells: [review] / Efecto pro-apoptótico de procianidinas de manzana en células humanas de cáncer de colon y sus células metastásicas derivadas: [revisión]

Apples are a rich source of Procyanidins (Pcy) which are able to inhibit colon carcinogenesis in animal models, but the mechanisms through which this occurs are not well understood.The evidence obtained in our laboratory and by other researchers, which shows that Pcy trigger apoptosis through different mechanisms in human colon adenocarcinoma SW480 cells and their derived-metastatic SW620 cells is reviewed in this paper. In the apoptosis induced by Pcy, the polyamine metabolism is involved, but it is not present in SW480 cells. There is a differential sensitivity of both cells lines to the activation of TRAIL-death receptors. Pcy enhance the sensitivity of SW480 cells to TRAIL by activating the extrinsic apoptotic pathway, and overcome TRAIL-resistance in SW620 cells involving a cross-talk between the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways; and a Pcy-induced ROS production favoring mitochondria disruption. In addition, Pcy activate Fas receptor in SW480 cells, whereas SW620 cells are Fas-resistant despite the up-regulated Fas expression. Surprisingly, activation of the Fas receptor-mediated apoptosis by Pcy is observed in SW620 cells after inactivation of TRAIL-death receptors, suggesting that Fas-resistant phenotype may be associated with alterations in downstream events between TRAIL-death and Fas receptors. These data highlight the potential interest of apple Pcy in colon cancer prevention and therapy (combination therapy).

Las manzanas son fuente rica en Procianidinas (Pcy), inhiben la carcinogénesis del colon en modelosanimales aunque los mecanismos no son bien comprendidos. Esta revisión presenta evidencia sobre los efectos pro-apoptóticos de Pcy por diferentes mecanismos en células humanas de adenocarcinoma decolon SW480 y sus derivadas metastáticas SW620. En la apoptosis inducida por Pcy en células SW620 participa el metabolismo de poliaminas, pero no en células SW480. Existe sensibilidad diferencial de ambas líneas a la activación de los receptores de muerte-TRAIL. Pcy aumenta la sensibilidad de SW480 a TRAIL activando la vía extrínseca, y sobrepasa la resistencia a TRAIL en células SW620 mediante interacción entre las vías extrínseca e intrínseca, y producción de especies reactivas del oxígeno (ROS) con daño mitocondrial. Pcy activan el receptor Fas en células SW480, mientras que las células SW620 son Fas-resistentes a pesar del aumento en la expresión de Fas. La activación de la apoptosis vía Fas por Pcy se observa en células SW620 después de inactivar los receptores de muerte-TRAIL, sugiriendo que el fenotipo Fas-resistente podría estar asociado con alteraciones corriente-abajo entre los receptores TRAIL y Fas. Estos datos resaltan el potencial interés en las Pcy de manzana para la prevención y terapia combinada del cáncer de colon.

p53 Activates Either Survival or Apoptotic Signaling Responses in Lupulone-Treated Human Colon Adenocarcinoma Cells and Derived Metastatic Cells.

The SW480 cell line is derived from a human colon adenocarcinoma, and SW620 cells are derived from a lymph node metastasis of the same patient. We have previously shown that lupulone induces apoptosis in SW480 cells, through a cross talk between the TRAIL-death receptor pathway and the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. In SW620 cells, lupulone induced apoptosis only through TRAIL-death receptor activation. Both cell lines exhibit the same p53 mutations. Because p53 plays a central role in the response to cellular stresses by upregulating the transcription of several genes controlling apoptosis, we aimed to study the involvement of p53 on lupulone-triggered apoptosis. Our data show that in SW620 cells, lupulone upregulated p53 gene expression and caused a cloistering of p53 in the nucleus, allowing p53 to play a proapoptotic role by activating the TRAIL-death receptor pathway. In contrast, in lupulone-treated SW480 cells, p53 was translocated to the cytoplasm where it initiated a survival response associated with the up-regulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 proteins in an attempt to preserve mitochondrial integrity. These prosurvival effects of p53 in lupulone-treated SW480 cells were reversed by pifithrin-α, an inhibitor of p53 function, which caused a blocking of p53 in the nucleus leading to the down-regulation of Bcl-2 and Mcl-1, the up-regulation of proapoptotic Bax protein and TRAIL-death receptors leading to enhanced cell death. Our data support different functions of the same mutated p53 in colon adenocarcinoma and derived metastatic cells in response to the chemopreventive agent lupulone.

Identification of gene expression profiles correlated to tumor progression in a preclinical model of colon carcinogenesis.

The rat azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon carcinogenesis model provides useful information for understanding human colorectal neoplasia. Here, we used the AOM model to measure the gene expression profiles of biomarkers related to tumor progression. We assessed tumor progression stages by computed tomographic (CT) colonography. Messenger RNAs were isolated from tumors and mucosal samples, and gene expression levels were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We show that early stages of tumor progression are associated with an upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) and of genes involved in the inflammatory response, including interleukin (IL1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha). The ratio of B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X proteins (Bax) to Bcl-2 transcript (proapototic/antiapoptotic signals) is elevated in early stages of tumor progression (Bax/Bcl-2 >1) and reversed in more advanced stages of tumor development (Bax/Bcl-2 <1). These changes are associated with the reduced expression of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-death receptor 5 (DR5) and FAS (also known as CD95) apoptotic receptors. Advanced stages of tumor development are characterized by an increase in MMP-9 expression associated with the upregulation of components of the innate immune system: alpha-defensin 5 (DEF-5) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). The identification of specific gene expression profiles that correlate with tumor progression stages, as reported in the present study, may represent an important step in evaluating potential chemopreventive and/or chemotherapeutic agents prior to initiating clinical trials.

Long-term administration of aspirin inhibits tumour formation and triggers anti-neoplastic molecular changes in a pre-clinical model of colon carcinogenesis.

Despite numerous studies aimed at verifying the anti-tumour activity of aspirin on colon carcinogenesis little is known on the molecular targets involved in the anti-carcinogenic properties of this drug. We investigated the long-term administration of low dose of aspirin in a model of experimental colon carcinogenesis in rats. Adult Wistar rats received an intraperitoneal injection of azoxymethane (AOM) once a week for two weeks in order to initiate colon carcinogenesis. One week after AOM injection, rats received daily 0.01% aspirin (6 mg/kg body weight) in drinking water for 10 months. Compared to AOM control rats, aspirin treatment for 10 months caused a 50% reduction of the number of aberrant crypt foci associated with a 50% reduction of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentration and suppressed by 80% tumour formation in the colon. RT-PCR quantitative analysis showed that aspirin treatment reduced significantly (P<0.01) the AOM-triggered increase in mRNA levels of soluble inflammatory mediators (TNFalpha and IL-1beta) and metalloproteinases (MMP3 and MMP7). Conversely, we detected an increased expression level of alpha-defensin-5 (Rd-5, 2 fold) and lipocalin-2 (LCN2, 4 fold), two markers of the innate immunity system. The expression of apoptosis-related genes such as death receptors and their ligands were reduced by aspirin and the Bcl-2/Bax transcript ratio droped, Bcl-2 expression being reduced to the level found in saline control rats. The present study identifies new molecular targets triggered by aspirin in the colonic mucosa and may support the use of non-toxic low dose of aspirin in long-term treatments as a prophylactic approach against colon carcinogenesis.

Implication of NF-κB and p53 in the expression of TRAIL-death receptors and apoptosis by apple procyanidins in human metastatic SW620 cells.

INTRODUCTION: The nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-NF-κ) has been shown to upregulate pro-apoptotic mediators such as TRAIL-DR4/-DR5 receptors and the p53 transcription factor depending on the type of stimulus and the cell type involved. Previously, apple procyanidins (Pcy) have been shown to upregulate the expression of TRAIL-DR4/-DR5 and thereby overcoming the resistance of human colon cancer-derived metastatic SW620 cells to TRAIL. OBJECTIVES: NF-κB and p53 were investigated for their involvement in the Pcy-triggered apoptosis of human derived-metastatic colon cancer (SW620) cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell death, p53, TRAIL-DR4/-DR5 proteins were analyzed by flow cytometry. DR4/DR5 mRNA was analyzed by RT-PCR in real time. Activated p50/p65 and p53 forms were studied by ELISA and immunoblotting RESULTS: Pcy-triggered cell death was prevented by specific inhibitors of NF-κB and of p53: amino-4-(4-phenoxy-phenylethylamino) quinazoline (QNZ) and pifithrin α (Pα), respectively. QNZ and Pα inhibited the Pcy-dependent activation of TRAIL-DR4/-DR5 death receptors. However, the upregulation of TRAIL-DR4 by Pcy was significantly decreased only when NF-κB and p53 inhibitors were used in combination; this effect was not observed with a single inhibitor. This effect was not observed for TRAIL-DR5 and suggested that the expression of each TRAIL-death receptor may be regulated differently. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggested that NF-κB and p53 are partially required in Pcy-triggered apoptosis of SW620 cells by up-regulating the expression of TRAIL-DR4/-DR5. In addition, the ratio between TRAIL-DR4/-DR5 may be a determining factor in the activation of TRAIL-death receptor mediated apoptosis.

Apple procyanidins activate apoptotic signaling pathway in human colon adenocarcinoma cells by a lipid-raft independent mechanism.

Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds able to favour cholesterol-lipid-raft formation and control cell signaling pathways by targeting receptors at the cell surface. Procyanidins (Pcy) are oligomeric and polymeric flavonoids formed by catechins and epicatechins monomers trigger apoptosis by activating TRAIL-death receptors in human colon adenocarcinoma SW480 cells. Here, we investigated whether the apoptotic process triggered by apple procyanidins involving the up-regulation of TRAIL-death receptors DR4/DR5 at the cell surface was dependent on cell membrane lipid-raft formation. We report that Pcy-induced apoptosis was enhanced in presence of nystatin, a cholesterol-sequestering compound inhibiting lipid-raft formation, without changing DR4/DR5 receptor expression. Treatment of SW480 cells with TRAIL caused a 3.5-fold increased level of caveolin together with a 2- to 2.5-fold increased amount of DR4/DR5 proteins in lipid rafts. Pcy-treatment did not induce any alteration in the expression of DR4/DR5 proteins as well as of caveolin present in lipid-raft fractions. Pcy induced an activation of TRAIL-death receptor-mediated apoptosis by a mechanism independent of lipid-raft formation. These results highlight the potential of Pcy as a direct activator of TRAIL-death receptors in cell membrane even in the absence of lipid rafts.

Effects of oxidation on the hydrolysis by cholesterol esterase of sitosteryl esters as compared to a cholesteryl ester.

Phytosteryl esters (PE) are used as ingredients in functional food to decrease plasma concentration of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). Effective impairment of cholesterol absorption by PE suggests that these esters are hydrolyzed by the pancreatic cholesterol esterase (CEase, EC 3.1.1.13) and the liberated sterol may interfere with cholesterol reducing its intestinal absorption. PE-enriched foods are marketed for cooking purposes, and temperature is one of the most important factors leading to the formation of oxidation products. Very little is known about the outcome of PE oxides during the digestive process. A new analytical method based on mass spectrometric detection directly after enzymatic reaction was developed to determine in vitro the activity of CEase on PE and their oxides present in functional food. Using this method, we identified a new inhibitor of CEase: sitosteryl 9,10-dihydroxystearate, which behaves as a non-competitive inhibitor of the hydrolysis of cholesteryl oleate and sitosteryl oleate.

Lupulone, a hop bitter acid, activates different death pathways involving apoptotic TRAIL-receptors, in human colon tumor cells and in their derived metastatic cells.

Our study aimed to compare death signalling pathways triggered by lupulone in TRAIL-sensitive human colon cancer cells (SW480) and in their derived TRAIL-resistant metastatic cells (SW620). Lupulone (40 microg/ml) up-regulated expression of TRAIL DR4/DR5 death receptors at the cell surface of both cell lines, even in the absence of exogenous TRAIL ligand. Cell death induced by lupulone was inhibited in SW480 and SW620 cells exposed to blocking anti-DR4/DR5 antibodies. In SW480 cells, lupulone triggered cell death through a cross-talk between TRAIL-DR4/DR5 and the mitochondrial (intrinsic) pathways involving caspase-8 activation and Bid protein cleavage. As a consequence mitochondrial cytochrome c was released into the cytosol and activation of caspases-9 and -3 was observed. In the metastatic SW620 cells, lupulone restored the sensibility of these cells to TRAIL ligand and activated the extrinsic apoptotic pathway via DR4/DR5 death receptors and the involvement of the caspase-8/caspase-3 cascade. The demonstration that lupulone is able to activate TRAIL-death signalling pathways even in TRAIL resistant cancer cells highlights the potential of this natural compound for cancer prevention and therapy.