Vitamin A prevents high fat diet-induced ACF development and modifies the pattern of expression of peroxisome proliferator and retinoic acid receptor m-RNA

Boman B. Retinoids in Treatment of Colorectal Cancer

Retinoids are vitamin A metabolites best known for their role in embryonic development. Indeed, retinoid acid (RA) signaling plays a key role in regulating the development of the embryo body-plan by controlling embryonic stem cells (SCs). Retinoids function through their ability to induce cellular differentiation. Mutations in RA signaling pathway genes occur in most human cancers. The classic example is the chromosomal translocation involving RA receptor alpha in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Because all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is a highly effective and often curative treatment for APL patients, determining if retinoids are efficacious for other cancer types is imperative. We review the current research on retinoids in colorectal cancer (CRC) and provide bioinformatics analyses of RA signaling. Our results show that most RA pathway genes are overexpressed and often mutated in CRC. Moreover, aberrant expression of many RA signaling proteins predicts decreased CRC patient survival. We also review aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) expression in CRC because ALDH is a key enzyme in RA signaling, which regulates colonic SCs. Further investigation of RA signaling mechanisms that regulate colon SCs and how dysregulation contributes to the SC overpopulation that drives CRC growth should provide insight into strategies for designing new SC-targeted therapies for CRC.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase mediates the ability of retinol to decrease colorectal cancer cell invasion

Previously, we showed that retinol (vitamin A) decreased both colorectal cancer cell invasion and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activity through a retinoic acid receptor-independent mechanism. Here, we determined if these phenomena were related by using parental HCT-116 cells that harbor 1 allele of wild-type PI3K and 1 allele of constitutively active (ca) PI3K and 2 mutant HCT-116 cell lines homozygous for caPI3K. In vitro, treatment of parental HCT-116 cells with 10 μM retinol reduced cell invasion whereas treatment of mutant HCT-116 cell lines with retinol did not. Treatment with 10 μM retinol also decreased the activity of matrixmetalloproteinase-9 and increased tissue inhibitor of matrixmetalloproteinase-I levels in parental, but not mutant, HCT-116 cells. Finally, parental or mutant cells were intrasplenically injected into athymic mice consuming diets with or without supplemental vitamin A. As expected, vitamin A supplementation tended (P = 0.18) to reduce the incidence of metastases in mice injected with the parental cell line and consuming the supplemented diet. In contrast, metastatic incidence was not affected (P = 1.00) by vitamin A supplementation in mice injected with mutant cells. These data indicate that the capacity of retinol to inhibit PI3K activity confers its ability to decrease colorectal cancer metastasis.

Oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer: cause or consequence?

There is a growing support for the concept that reactive oxygen species, which are known to be implicated in a range of diseases, may be important progenitors in carcinogenesis, including colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with the highest incidence rates in western countries. Sporadic human CRC may be attributable to various environmental and lifestyle factors, such as dietary habits, obesity, and physical inactivity. In the last decades, association between oxidative stress and CRC has been intensively studied. Recently, numerous genetic and lifestyle factors that can affect an individual's ability to respond to oxidative stress have been identified. The aim of this paper is to review evidence linking oxidative stress to CRC and to provide essential background information for accurate interpretation of future research on oxidative stress and CRC risk. Brief introduction of different endogenous and exogenous factors that may influence oxidative status and modulate the ability of gut epithelial cells to cope with damaging metabolic challenges is also provided.

Hepatic vitamin A preloading reduces colorectal cancer metastatic multiplicity in a mouse xenograft model

Previous research in our laboratory showed that retinol inhibited all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-resistant human colon cancer cell invasion via a retinoic acid receptor-independent mechanism in vitro. The objective of the current study was to determine if dietary vitamin A supplementation inhibited metastasis of ATRA-resistant colon cancer cells in a nude mouse xenograft model. Female nude mice (BALB/cAnNCr-nu/nu, n = 14 per group) consumed a control diet (2,400 IU retinyl palmitate/kg diet) or a vitamin A supplemented diet (200,000 IU retinyl palmitate/kg diet) for 1 mo prior to tumor cell injection to preload the liver with vitamin A. HCT-116, ATRA-resistant, human colon cancer cells were intrasplenically injected. Mice continued to consume their respective diets for 5 wk following surgery. Consumption of supplemental vitamin A decreased hepatic metastatic multiplicity to 17% of control. Hepatic and splenic retinol and retinyl ester concentrations were significantly higher in the mice supplemented with vitamin A when compared to mice consuming the control diet. Supplemental vitamin A did not decrease body weight, feed intake, or cause toxicity. Thus, supplemental dietary vitamin A may decrease the overall number of hepatic metastasis resulting from colon cancer.

High fat mixed lipid diet modifies protective effects of exercise on 1,2 dimethylhydrazine induced colon cancer in rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of long-term swimming exercise in conjunction with a high fat mixed lipid (HFML) diet on colon cancer (CC) development and lipid peroxidation in the large bowel. We used forty male Wistar rats, which were randomly divided into one control group and four cancer groups: sedentary and swimming groups fed a standard diet (LFCO) and sedentary and swimming groups fed an HFML diet. Corticosterone was determined during the experiment. After 6 months of swimming, the rats were sacrificed and blood, heart, liver, muscle and large bowel were taken for determining the activity of serum enzymes, antioxidant capacity and CC development. The results demonstrate that exercise has a protective role in CC development. Attenuated development of CC and increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the large bowel of exercised rats show that one of the protective effects of exercise on developing CC is induction of oxidative stress. However, in terms of the combined effects of dietary fat and exercise, our results indicate that the protective role of exercise on CC development is significantly depressed by an HFML diet. An HFML diet significantly reduced the protective influence of exercise on colon carcinogenesis in rats and affected the degree of peroxidation in the large bowel during exercise, as well as concentrations of serum enzymes (LDH, α-HBDH, CK, ALT and AST). Our results indicate that an HFML diet, which reflects the composition of a Western style diet, is a significant modifier of the protective effects of exercise on CC development in rats.

Abnormal Savda Munziq, an Herbal Preparation of Traditional Uighur Medicine, May Prevent 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-Induced Rat Colon Carcinogenesis

The study tried to assess the chemoprotective effect of abnormal Savda Munziq (ASMq) on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced rat colon carcinogenesis. Male F344 rats were randomized into eight groups: Group 1 was served as control, no DMH injection was given and treated daily with normal saline. Rats in Groups 2–8 were given a single intraperitoneal injection of DMH (20 mg/kg body weight) at the beginning of the study. Group 2 was served as negative control, administered with normal saline until the end of the experiment after the single DMH injection. Groups 3–5 were served as pretreatment group, administered with ASMq ethanol extract at 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg body weight, respectively, until the 45th day, continued by normal saline administration for another 45 days. Groups 6–8 were served as the treatment group, administered with normal saline for the first 45 days from the day of DMH injection, ASMq ethanol extract at three different doses to be administered until the end of the second 45th day. All rats were sacrificed at 91st day and the colons were analyzed for aberrant crypt foci (ACF) formation and crypt multiplicity. Results showed that ASMq ethanol extract reduced the number of ACF, AC and crypt multiplicity significantly (P < .05). It suggested that ASMq ethanol extract had chemoprotective effects on DMH-induced colon carcinogenesis, by suppressing the development of preneoplastic lesions, and probably exerted protection against the initiation and promotion steps of colon carcinogenesis.

Retinol Increases beta-catenin-RXRalpha binding leading to the increased proteasomal degradation of beta-catenin and RXRalpha

Retinol utilizes a retinoid X receptor (RXR)-mediated degradation pathway to decrease beta-catenin protein in all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-resistant human colon cancer cells. In this study, we examined interactions between RXRalpha and beta-catenin in ATRA-resistant human colon cancer cells treated with retinol. Retinol treatment triggers relocation of beta-catenin and RXRalpha proteins. Cells treated with retinol for 8 and 24 h displayed increased cytosolic but decreased nuclear beta-catenin and RXRalpha. Retinol treatment increased beta-catenin and RXRalpha protein interaction. Previously, we showed that 24 h of retinol treatment increased RXRalpha protein. Here we show this increase in RXRalpha levels is due to increased RXRalpha messenger RNA. Treatment with 48 h with retinol decreased RXRalpha protein levels. Last, by transfecting HCT-116 cells with a RXRalpha construct lacking the activation function-1 and DNA binding domains, we show RXRalpha and beta-catenin binding is required for proteosomal degradation of beta-catenin. These results suggest retinol induces RXRalpha and beta-catenin binding and transport to the cytosol where they are proteasomally degraded.

Retinol decreases beta-catenin protein levels in retinoic acid-resistant colon cancer cell lines

The beta-catenin signaling pathway is dysregulated in most cases of colon cancer resulting in an accumulation of nuclear beta-catenin and increased transcription of genes involved in tumor progression. This study examines the effect of retinol on beta-catenin protein levels in three all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-resistant human colon cancer cell lines: HCT-116, WiDr, and SW620. Each cell line was treated with increasing concentrations of retinol for 24 or 48 h. Retinol reduced beta-catenin protein levels and increased ubiquitinated beta-catenin in all cell lines. Treatment with the proteasomal inhibitor MG132 blocked the retinol-induced decrease in beta-catenin indicating retinol decreases beta-catenin by increasing proteasomal degradation. Multiple pathways direct beta-catenin to the proteasome for degradation including a p53/Siah-1/adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), a Wnt/glycogen synthase kinase-3beta/APC, and a retinoid "X" receptor (RXR)-mediated pathway. Due to mutations in beta-catenin (HCT-116), APC (SW620), and p53 (WiDr), only the RXR-mediated pathway remains functional in each cell line. To determine if RXRs facilitate beta-catenin degradation, cells were treated with the RXR pan-antagonist, PA452, or transfected with RXRalpha small interfering RNA (siRNA). The RXR pan-antagonist and RXRalpha siRNA reduced the ability of retinol to decrease beta-catenin protein levels. Nuclear beta-catenin induces gene transcription via interaction with T cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) proteins. Retinol treatment decreased the transcription of a TOPFlash reporter construct and mRNA levels of the endogenous beta-catenin target genes, cyclin D1 and c-myc. These results indicate that retinol may reduce colon cancer cell growth by increasing the proteasomal degradation of beta-catenin via a mechanism potentially involving RXR.

Retinol inhibits the growth of all-trans-retinoic acid-sensitive and all-trans-retinoic acid-resistant colon cancer cells through a retinoic acid receptor-independent mechanism

Retinol (vitamin A) is thought to exert its effects through the actions of its metabolite, all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), on gene transcription mediated by retinoic acid receptors (RAR) and retinoic acid response elements (RARE). However, retinoic acid resistance limits the chemotherapeutic potential of ATRA. We examined the ability of retinol to inhibit the growth of ATRA-sensitive (HCT-15) and ATRA-resistant (HCT-116, SW620, and WiDR) human colon cancer cell lines. Retinol inhibited cell growth in a dose-responsive manner. Retinol was not metabolized to ATRA or any bioactive retinoid in two of the cell lines examined. HCT-116 and WiDR cells converted a small amount of retinol to ATRA; however, this amount of ATRA was unable to inhibit cell growth. To show that retinol was not inducing RARE-mediated transcription, each cell line was transfected with pRARE-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) and treated with ATRA and retinol. Although treatment with ATRA increased CAT activity 5-fold in ATRA-sensitive cells, retinol treatment did not increase CAT activity in any cell line examined. To show that growth inhibition due to retinol was ATRA, RAR, and RARE independent, a pan-RAR antagonist was used to block RAR signaling. Retinol-induced growth inhibition was not alleviated by the RAR antagonist in any cell line, but the antagonist alleviated ATRA-induced growth inhibition of HCT-15 cells. Retinol did not induce apoptosis, differentiation or necrosis, but affected cell cycle progression. Our data show that retinol acts through a novel, RAR-independent mechanism to inhibit colon cancer cell growth.

A high-fat diet generates alterations in nuclear receptor expression: prevention by vitamin A and links with cyclooxygenase-2 and beta-catenin

Epidemiologic studies suggest that intake of high energy from fat, inducing overweight, increases the risk of cancer development and promotes colon carcinogenesis. It is therefore important to understand which parameters are affected early on by a high-fat diet in order to devise and improve protective nutritional strategies. We investigated the effect of high energy/fat intake on colon mucosa of male Wistar rats induced by a single 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) injection. Aberrant crypt foci (ACF) were numbered and modifications in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and beta-catenin levels assessed. Peroxisome proliferator- and retinoic acid-activated receptors (PPAR and RAR, RXR) are key transcription factors regulating gene expression in response to nutrient-activated signals. A short-term study was designed to evaluate whether alterations in mRNA expression of nuclear receptors can be detected at the beginning of the weight gain phase induced by an appetizing hyperlipidic diet (HLD). HLD consumption induced early downregulation of PPARgamma (-33.1%) and RARbeta (-53.1%) mRNA expression concomitant with an increase in levels of COX-2 (+45.5%) and beta-catenin (+84.56%) and in the number of ACF (191.56 +/- 88.60 vs. 21.14 +/- 11.64, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that HLD increases ACF occurrence, possibly through alterations in the mRNA expression profile of nuclear receptors. Moreover, the use HLD rich in retinyl esters or supplemented with all-trans retinoic acid led to a reduction in the number of ACF. Vitamin A also prevented HLD-induced alterations and the increase in levels of COX-2 and beta-catenin. The present observations show a protective role for vitamin A against disturbances associated with HLD exposure in induced colon carcinogenesis.