A nutrient mixture reduced tumor growth of SK-UT-1 human leiomyosarcoma cells in vivo and in vitro by inhibiting MMPs and inducing apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Uterine leiomyosarcoma is a rare malignant smooth muscle tumor originating in the uterine wall that generally responds poorly to chemotherapy and radiation.

AIM

We investigated the in vitro effects of a novel nutrient mixture containing lysine, proline, ascorbic acid, and green tea extract on the human leiomyosarcoma cell line SK-UT-1 by measuring cell proliferation, invasiveness, apoptosis, and expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP). We also tested the effects of nutrient mixture in vivo using nude mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human leiomyosarcoma SK-UT-1 cells were treated with different concentrations of nutrient mixture. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay; MMP expression by gelatinase zymography; invasion by Matrigel assay; migration by scratch test; apoptosis using Live Green caspase kit. In vivo studies were conducted on 5-6 weeks old female nude mice inoculated subcutaneously with 3 • 10⁶ SK-UT-1 cells. The mice were fed a regular diet or a diet supplemented with 0.5% nutrient mixture. After four weeks, the mice were sacrificed and the tumors were weighed and processed for histology.

RESULTS

In vitro, nutrient mixture treatment was not toxic to SK-UT-1 cells at 250 µg/ml but exhibited 20% and 40% cytotoxicity at 500 and 1000 µg/ml respectively. Zymography did not show bands for either MMP-2 or MMP-9 in SK-UT-1 cells. However, treatment with phorbol myristate acetate stimulated the expression of MMP-9, both active and inactive forms in equal proportion. Nutrient mixture inhibited the secretion of both active and inactive forms in a dose dependent manner. Invasion through Matrigel and migration by scratch test were inhibited in a dose dependent fashion, with both invasion and migration inhibited at 250 µg/ml. Live Green Caspase apoptosis assay demonstrated slight apoptosis at 100 µg/ml and significant apoptosis at 250 to 1000 µg/ml. The results of in vitro studies were further confirmed in vivo by showing 50% decrease in tumor weight, 40% reduction in tumor burden compared to the tumors from mice fed regular diet.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest a therapeutic potential for nutrient mixture in uterine leiomyosarcoma treatment.

Down regulation of u-PA by a nutrient mixture in hemangioma (EOMA) cells by inducing caspase-dependent apoptosis

Hemangiomas are the most common congenital vascular and benign tumor in infants and children. Most hemangiomas do not cause major symptoms to require intervention, however, the larger hemangiomas have tendency to bleed and may require surgical removal. Experimental studies have demonstrated the role of urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA), especially cell surface u-PA, as an initiator of extra-cellular matrix proteolysis and associated tumor cell invasion.

AIM

To examine, whether the antitumor effects of a specific nutrient mixture are due to induction of apoptosis by inhibition of u-PA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A nutrient mixture containing lysine, proline, ascorbic acid, and green tea extract which has showed anticancer activity against a number of cancer cell lines was used as an experimental composition. EOMA cells were grown in appropriate media with antibiotics in 24-well tissue culture plates. At near confluence, the cells were treated with nutrition mixture at 10, 100, 1000 µg/ml in triplicate. Analysis of u-PA activity was carried out by fibrin zymography. Morphological changes and caspase activation associated with apoptosis induction was checked by H&E staining and Live Green caspase assay, respectively. Apoptosis inducing anticancer drug camptothecin (10 µM) was used as positive control.

RESULTS

The nutrition mixture exhibited dose response toxicity with maximum toxicity 55% (p < 0.001) at 1000 µg/ml. EOMA cells expressed u-PA, which was inhibited by nutrition mixture in a dose-dependent manner. The caspase analysis revealed a dose dependent increase in apoptosis of EOMA hemangioma cells, with an increasing apoptosis observed at 100 μg/ml, and maximum at 1000 μg/ml. Cells treated with nutrition mixture showed significantly more apoptotic changes than the control or camptothecin-treated cells.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that NM may induce apoptosis of hemangioma cells in vitro thus warranting further investigation.

In vitro inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases, invasion and growth of Fanconi anemia human FANCA and FANCC lymphoblasts by nutrient mixture

AIM

Fanconi anemia is a rare genetic disorder with high propensity for development of cancers, such as aplastic anemia, leukemia and head and neck cancers. Collagen digesting matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzymes have been implicated in for their role in various malignancies and to promote metastasis. Biological agents that prevent extracellular matrix digestion by the MMPs have been shown to be promising therapeutic approaches to cancer. In this study, we investigated effects of a nutrient mixture (NM) containing, ascorbic acid, lysine, proline and green tea extract, on human FANCA and FANCC lymphoblasts for viability, MMP secretion and invasion.

METHODS

Human FANCA lymphoblasts GM13022 and HCS536 were challenged with NM at concentration range within 10-1000 µg/ml. Cell toxicity was assessed by Trypan blue dye exclusion test. Invasion was evaluated through Matrigel and gelatinase zymography for MMP activity.

RESULTS

NM was toxic in dose dependent mode to HCS536 cells but not to GM13022 cells. GM13022 cells but not HCS536 cells exhibited MMP-9 secretion, which was inhibited by NM. Matrigel invasion was inhibited in HCS536 cells at 100 and 500 µg/ml by 27% and 93%, respectively. In GM13022 cells, the NM showed completely blocked Matrigel invasion at 500 µg/ml.

CONCLUSION

NM inhibited MMP secretion and Matrigel invasion in FANCA and inhibited invasion and induced toxicity in FANCC lymphoblasts. These results suggest that the NM may have therapeutic potential in Fanconi anemia associated neoplasia.

Repression of matrix metalloproteinases and inhibition of cell invasion by a nutrient mixture, containing ascorbic acid, lysine, proline, and green tea extract on human Fanconi anemia fibroblast cell lines

AIM

Fanconi Anemia, an autosomal recessive disorder, is characterized by chromosomal abnormality leading to birth defects, progressive bone marrow failure, and a high probability of developing malignancy at an early age. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and myeloid leukemia are the major causes of cancer related morbidity and mortality in Fanconi anemia patients.

METHODS

We investigated the effect of a nutrient mixture on Fanconi Anemia human fibroblast cell lines FA-A:PD20 and FA-A:PD220 on matrix metalloproteinase expression, invasion, cell proliferation, morphology and apoptosis. The cell lines were grown in a modified Dulbecco's Eagle medium and at near confluence were treated with the nutrient mixture at increasing doses: 0; 10; 50; 100; 500; 1000 µg/ml. The cells were also treated with PMA to induce MMP-9 expression.

RESULTS

Zymography demonstrated MMP-2 and PMA-induced MMP-9 activity. The nutrient mixture inhibited expression of both, MMP-2 and MMP-9, in a dose dependent manner with virtually total inhibition observed at 500 µg/ml. Matrigel invasion was inhibited in both cells lines; with 100% inhibition for FA-A:PD20 at 500 µg/ml and 100% inhibition of FA-A:P220 cells at 100 µg/ml. H&E staining did not indicate any change in cell morphology and causes apoptosis at higher doses.

CONCLUSION

Our data demonstrated that the nutrient mixture inhibited matrix metalloproteinase expression, invasion and induced apoptosis, the important parameters for cancer prevention. The results suggest that the nutrient mixture may have therapeutic potential in Fanconi Anemia associated neoplasia.

Nutrient mixture inhibits in vitro and in vivo growth of human acute promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells

AIM

Untreated acute promyelocytic leukemia is the most malignant form of acute leukemias, with median survival of less than one month. We investigated in vitro and in vivo synergistic effects of a nutrient mixture (NM) containing ascorbic acid, lysine, proline, and green tea extract, on acute promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells.

METHODS

In vitro, the HL-60 cells were cultured and exposed to NM at doses 0-1000 μg/ml. Cell viability was assessed by Trypan blue dye exclusion test, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) expression by gelatinase zymography, invasion through Matrigel and apoptosis by live green Poly Caspase Detection Kit. In vivo studies were carried out in athymic nude mice subcutaneously inoculated with HL-60 cells.

RESULTS

In vitro, NM exhibited a dose dependent reduction in cells viability. Zymography revealed matrix MMP-2 and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate induced MMP-9 expression. NM inhibited expression of both MMP in a dose dependent manner. Similar step-wise reduction in the Matrigel invasion by HL-60 cells was also observed by this combination with incremental doses. Gradually increasing doses of NM induced significant apoptosis in HL-60 cells. In vivo, NM inhibited tumor growth by 50%.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that NM significantly suppresses tumor growth, decreases cell viability, inhibits MMP expression, Matrigel invasion and induces apoptosis in HL-60 cells.

In vivo and in vitro antitumor effects of nutrient mixture in murine leukemia cell line P-388

AIM

Leukemia is characterized by uncontrolled marrow cell proliferation and metastatic foci. We investigated the antitumor potential of a nutrient mixture on malignant leukemia P-388 cells.

METHODS

The nutrient mixture containing lysine, proline, ascorbic acid, green tea extract and other nutrients is formulated to target key pathways in cancer progression. The cells were treated with the mixture, and tested at doses 0, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 μg/ml in triplicates. The effects were evaluated by cell proliferation, Matrigel invasion, cell morphology and apoptosis. The in vivo effect was measured in male nude mice (n = 12) inoculated with P-388 cells. After randomly dividing in two groups, each group was fed regular and the nutrient mixture supplemented diet and the mice were sacrificed after four weeks.

RESULTS

The nutrient mixture decreased P-388 cell proliferation at 500 and 1000 μg/ml. Only 10% cells were viable at 1000 μg/ml. Matrigel invasion was significantly inhibited in a dose dependent manner with virtually total inhibition at 1000 μg/ml. Cell morphological features notably changed with dose increase to 1000 μg/ml. Analysis of apoptotic cells on live green caspase kit exhibited gradual increase with the increasing dose of the nutrient mixture, and at 1000 μg/ ml 92% of P-388 cells were in late apoptosis. Tumors in the group of mice supplemented with the nutrient mixture had 50% lower weight compared to the tumors in control group (p = 0.0105). Histopathologically, both the groups of tumors were similar, yet size of tumors in the group treated with the nutrient mixture was considerably smaller.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that the nutrient mixture exhibited significant action against multiple targets in P-388 leukemia and may have potential in human leukemia.