Dietary modification of UV-induced epidermal ornithine decarboxylase

Reassessment of a Free Radical Theory of Cancer With Emphasis on Ultraviolet Carcinogenesis

Pro-oxidants, reactive species and free radicals, are toxic substances that can cause oxidative damage to major constituents of biological systems. In contradistinction, antioxidants are defined as any substance that significantly prevents the pro-oxidant-initiated oxidation of a substrate. Consequently, it was suggested that it might be possible to reduce free radical damage and thus cancer risk through 3 dietary changes: (1) caloric reduction, that is, lowering the level of free radical reactions arising in the course of normal metabolism; (2) minimize dietary components that increase the level of free radical reactions (eg, polyunsaturated fats); and (3) supplement the diet with one or more free radical reaction inhibitors (antioxidants). Lipid peroxidation exemplifies the type of chain reaction initiated by free radicals in (2) and (3). Both the phenolic antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and the carotenoid β-carotene can terminate such reactions and have been shown to influence ultraviolet (UV) carcinogenesis. However, there is a lack of correlation between physicochemical and patho-physiological responses in both instances. Whereas the influence on UV carcinogenesis of both antioxidants has been reported to diminish as the level of dietary fat decreases, pointing to the involvement of lipid peroxidative reactions, the mode of BHT’s action in inhibiting UV carcinogenesis appears to be related to UV dose diminution through increased spectral absorbance of the stratum corneum. β-carotene has no such effect and may actually exacerbate UV carcinogenesis under certain dietary conditions. This paradox points to the complex relationship between chemical mechanisms and biological mode of action of antioxidants. Recent clinical and experimental data suggest that antioxidant supplementation of the complex and intricately balanced natural antioxidant defense system as a cancer prevention strategy will demand extreme caution.

Hypothesis: spermine may be an important epidermal antioxidant

Spermine has been identified as a potent antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent. The compound is present in all organisms and all organs. The concentration is exceptionally high in skin, and I propose that spermine constitutes a prime defence against radiation damage. This hypothesis is substantiated by the fact that ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the rate-controlling enzyme of spermine biosynthesis, is induced by UVB-irradiation and oxidative stress. On the contrary, inhibition of ODC makes cells more sensitive to radiation damage. The antioxidative effect of spermine may be due to metal chelation and/or to prevention of superoxide generation from stimulated neutrophils. This paper reviews the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of spermine, and suggests that spermine is an important antioxidant of epidermis.

Biochemical parameters of epidermal aging in the hairless mouse and the relationship to UV-carcinogenesis

Epidemiological studies suggest that the incidence of cancer increases with age in both human and animal populations and that declining physiologic condition associated with aging might be responsible. Experimentally, the reverse has been most often observed, that is, older animals appear less susceptible to the induction of UV-carcinogenesis. Thus, we examined several biochemical parameters of epidermal macromolecular synthesis in hairless mice in an effort to gain insight into the role these processes play in physiological aging and their relationship to carcinogenesis. SKh-Hr-1 hairless mice were randomized into two groups (UV-irradiated and non-irradiated controls) and were two months of age at the start of irradiation and biochemical analyses. The UV group received 0.028 sunburn units (SBUs) daily (5 days wk-1) for 16 months from 40 watt BZS-WLG lamps. Stratum corneum turnover rates (SCR), cell label index (CLI), protein, DNA and RNA synthesis, and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) induction were determined at monthly intervals over a period of two years. There were no age-related tendencies observed in SCR. CLI increased with age. Chronic, low-dose UV had no effect upon either of these parameters. Epidermal capacity for DNA and protein synthesis increased with age from 2 months to 12-15 months at which time both parameters peaked and then began to decline. UV significantly reduced (P < 0.04) the magnitude of DNA synthetic capacity at peak periods of synthesis but had no effect upon protein synthesis. RNA synthetic rates declined with age, reaching their lowest levels at 24 months. Further, a significant reduction (P < 0.001) in ODC inducibility occurred with advancing age.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Protective role of butylated hydroxytoluene and certain carotenoids in photocarcinogenesis

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and certain carotenoid pigments have been found to inhibit photocarcinogenesis in animal models. In addition, BHT protects against UV-B-induced erythema and UV-B induction of ornithine decarboxylase. Studies on the photoprotective mechanism(s) of BHT suggested that changes in the physico-chemical properties of the keratin of the stratum corneum layer of skin occurred, leading to increases in UV absorption of that tissue. These changes might be exerted via the anti-radical action of BHT that retards oxidation and prevents cross-linking of the keratin chains, resulting in a diminution of UV-B radiation reaching potential target sites. The carotenoids beta-carotene, canthaxanthin and phytoene also inhibit UV-B carcinogenesis. beta-Carotene and canthaxanthin are excellent quenchers of singlet oxygen, and all three pigments can quench free radicals. beta-Carotene and canthaxanthin have been shown to quench singlet oxygen/free radical reactions in the skin of porphyric mice, and these two pigments as well as phytoene have been found to quench excited species formed on irradiation of mouse skin by UV-B.

Effects of butylated hydroxytoluene upon PUVA-tumorigenesis and induction of ornithine decarboxylase activity in the mouse

Psoralen photochemotherapy (PUVA) is widely used in the treatment of psoriasis. Some therapy regimen have been associated with increased risk of skin cancer. Free radical species are thought to play a role in psoralen phototoxicity and photocarcinogenesis. It has been reported that the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) inhibits acute phototoxicity by PUVA but does not reduce therapeutic efficacy. It has also been shown that BHT inhibits UVB-induced erythema, tumorigenesis and induction of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity--ODC activity is thought by some to be associated with tumor promotion. Therefore, we have investigated the effect of BHT on psoralen tumorigenesis and PUVA-induced epidermal ODC activity. SKH-Hr-1 hairless albino mice were treated with topically applied 8-MOP and exposed to UVA (3X weekly) for 31 weeks with and without BHT administered either in the diet or topically. Induction of ODC activity was determined in similar experimental groups 24 h after a single exposure to UVA. Neither route of BHT administration had any effect on 8-MOP phototumorigenesis. However, BHT when administered in the diet reduced induction of ODC activity by 40% (p less than 0.05). These data indicate different mechanisms for UVB- and PUVA-induced carcinogenesis and again bring into question the relationship between induction of ODC activity and photocarcinogenesis.

A mode of action for butylated hydroxytoluene-mediated photoprotection

Dietarily administered butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) has previously been shown to inhibit UV radiation induction of carcinogenesis, erythema, and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity. Butylated hydroxytoluene feeding also resulted in significant increases in epidermal absorption and it was suggested that BHT's photoprotective properties might be attributable to a diminution of UV radiation dose reaching respective target sites. To explore this possibility, the contribution of stratum corneum to BHT's photoprotective action was examined. SKH-Hr-1 hairless mice were fed diets containing 0.5% (w/w) BHT for 2 weeks prior to experimentation. Control animals received the unsupplemented ration. Stratum corneum from both groups was isolated and spectral transmission recorded. Transmission, between 280-320 nm, was approximately 65% greater through stratum corneum obtained from control animals compared with that of BHT-treated animals. Further evidence of the biologic significance of this BHT effect upon stratum corneum absorption was obtained when stratum corneum was first removed by tape-stripping, the animals irradiated with 0.45 J/cm2 of UVB, and epidermal ODC activity determined. BHT provided the usual inhibition of ODC activity induction in nonstripped animals, but ODC activity induction in BHT-treated, tape-stripped animals was restored to levels that did not significantly differ from controls. The protective effect exhibited by the stratum corneum could not be attributed to BHT-induced alteration of physical dimension, as neither the thickness of stratum corneum nor the number of stratum corneum layers, as determined from measurement of NaOH-distended frozen sections, differed from controls. Although the mechanism remains obscure, these data support the contention that systemically administered BHT results in diminished levels of UV radiation reaching potential epidermal target sites and delimits a large component of the photoprotective effect to the stratum corneum.

Photocarcinogenesis, skin cancer, and aging

Nonmelanoma skin cancers, like most malignancies, increase in incidence with increasing age. However, in general they are not due to the aging process but are primarily due to solar radiation. Clinically, squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell epitheliomas are the most common cancers that occur in the Caucasian population in the United States. The role of radiation from the sun was suggested by a number of astute clinical observations reported around 1900 and subsequently has been established by epidemiologic and experimental studies. Action spectrum evaluations indicate that the ultraviolet B (UVB) rays are the most carcinogenic. However, recent studies indicate that the UVA rays can augment the cancer-producing effects of UVB rays. Other physical stimuli, including heat and wind, can also accelerate UVB carcinogenesis. Chemicals such as the polycyclic hydrocarbons, the nitrosoureas, and nitrogen mustard have an additive carcinogenic effect with UVB radiation. Also, some chemicals such as croton oil, the phorbol ester--TPA, and all-trans-retinoic (RA) acid can promote UVB-initiated carcinogenesis. RA can also inhibit UVB-induced cancer formation. The role of the immune status has received a great deal of attention. Both in experimental and clinical situations, nonspecific immune suppression results in increased cancer formation. Also, recent studies indicate that a specific T cell suppressor population can be induced in experimental animals with UVB which will inhibit rejection of tumors produced by UVB radiation. Finally, damage to DNA by UVB radiation is well established. Studies with the genetic disease xeroderma pigmentosum support the concept that such damage, if not repaired, will lead to cancer formation. It also has been suggested that unrepaired damage to deoxyribonucleic (DNA) and other macromolecules is at least in part responsible for the aging process in general.

Influence of dietary lipid upon ultraviolet-light carcinogenesis

The effects of dietary lipid level, degree of saturation, and antioxidant supplements on ultraviolet-light (UV) carcinogenesis were studied in female albino hairless mice. Twelve groups of 42 animals each received a restricted, semipurified, isocaloric diet containing 4%, 12%, or 12% (60% hydrogenated) corn oil with or without antioxidants (2%, w/w). A regimen of escalating UV irradiation was employed until a cumulative dose of 142 J/cm2 had been delivered. Tumor development time in 50% of the population (TDT50) was derived from a cumulative distribution of time to tumor formation, which was estimated for all groups. Although there were no significant differences in TDT50s between animals receiving low and high unsaturated lipid dietary regimens, animals receiving hydrogenated corn oil demonstrated a significantly (p less than 0.01) greater TDT50 and fewer tumors per animal than those receiving either level of unsaturated corn oil. Antioxidants had no effect on TDT50s within any of the dietary groups. However, greater tumor multiplicity was observed in groups receiving unsaturated lipid and antioxidants. These data demonstrate that the degree of dietary lipid saturation modifies the carcinogenic response to UV and suggest that dietary lipid may modify the previously reported inhibitory effect of antioxidants on UV carcinogenesis. It may be concluded that adherence to dietary standards is as important as other experimental parameters when comparisons of UV effects are involved.