Inhibitory effect of a mixture containing ascorbic acid, lysine, proline and green tea extract on critical parameters in angiogenesis

Degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) is a hallmark of tumor invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis. Based on the Rath multitargeted approach to cancer using natural substances to control ECM stability and enhancing its strength, we developed a novel formulation (NM) of lysine, proline, ascorbic acid and green tea extract that has shown significant anti-cancer activity against a number of cancer cell lines. The aim of the present study was to determine whether NM exhibits anti-angiogenic and anti-metastatic effects using in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Angiogenesis was measured using a chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay in chick embryos and bFGF-induced vessel growth in C57BL/6J female mice. To determine the in vivo effect of NM on the tumor xenograft growth, male nude mice were inoculated with 3 x 10(6) MNNG-HOS cells. Control mice were fed a mouse chow diet, while the test group was fed a mouse chow diet supplemented with 0.5% NM for 4 weeks. In vitro studies on cell proliferation (MTT assay), MMP expression (zymography) and Matrigel invasion were conducted on human osteosarcoma U2OS, maintained in McCoy medium, supplemented with 10% FBS, penicillin and streptomycin in 24-well tissue culture plates and tested with NM at 0, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 microg/ml in triplicate at each dose. NM at 250 microg/ml caused a significant (p<0.05) reduction in bFGF-induced angiogenesis in CAM. NM inhibited tumor growth of osteosarcoma MNNG-HOS cell xenografts in nude mice by 53%; furthermore, tumors in NM-treated mice were less vascular and expressed lower levels of VEGF and MMP-9 immunohistochemically than tumors in the control group. In addition, NM exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of osteosarcoma U2OS cell proliferation (up to 60% at 1000 microg/ml), MMP-2 and -9 expression (with virtual total inhibition at 500 microg/ml NM), and invasion through Matrigel (with total inhibition at 100 microg/ml NM). Moreover, NM decreased U2OS cell expression of VEGF, angiopoietin-2, bFGF, PDGF and TGFbeta-1. These results together with our earlier findings suggest that NM is a relatively non-toxic formulation, which inhibits growth, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis of tumor cells.     

C57BL/6小鼠B16黑色素瘤细胞脾转移机制

 目的　研究C57BL／6小鼠B16黑色素瘤细胞脾转移与血行转移的相关性。方法　细胞悬液接种法制备C57BL／6小鼠B16黑色素瘤细胞的荷瘤模型，HE染色法观察各组织器官中转移瘤细胞的有无及其生长状态，伊文思蓝尾静脉注射法观察蓝染部位与肿瘤转移阳性部位间的相关性。结果　接种成瘤率100 ％。12只小鼠中有9只出现脾转移，均同时伴有不同程度的局部淋巴结转移， 其中3只尚伴有肺转移。脾转移较肺转移出现早、概率高。大体观脾转移阳性部位位于脾背侧段约全长1／4区域。镜下观脾内转移瘤细胞呈散在分布，生长受抑并向成熟分化。伊文思蓝蓝染部位位于脾背侧段约全长1／4区域，与肿瘤转移阳性部位一致。结论　C57BL／6小鼠的B16黑色素瘤细胞脾转移先于其他脏器转移，其转移途径为血行转移。     

Suppressing effects of dietary supplementation of the organoselenium 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanate and the Citrus antioxidant auraptene on lung metastasis of melanoma cells in mice

The modifying effects of the organoselenium 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanate (p-XSC) and the Citrus antioxidant auraptene as dietary supplements on experimental pulmonary metastasis of B16BL6 murine melanoma cells were investigated in an i.v. injection model in mice. Seven groups of male C57BL/6 mice were fed a basal diet (control group) or the basal diet supplemented with p-XSC (4, 8, or 15 mg/kg) or auraptene (250, 500, or 1000 mg/kg). All mice were fed their respective diet for 2 weeks before and after i.v. injection of 1 x 10(5) viable melanoma cells. At termination of the study, the incidence of lung metastatic tumors was determined. Cross-sectional areas and tumor volumes were analyzed morphometrically. In addition, apoptotic indices of lung metastatic tumors of all groups were counted. The incidences of lung metastasis in mice fed the diet mixed with 8 or 15 mg p-XSC/kg were significantly smaller than that in mice fed the basal diet. The mean numbers of metastatic lung tumors were significantly lower in mice fed p-XSC (4, 8, and 15 mg/kg) and auraptene (500 and 1000 mg/kg) than in controls. Cross-sectional areas and volumes of the tumors were also significantly decreased in mice given p-XSC (8 or 15 mg/kg) and auraptene (500 mg/kg). Apoptotic indices in mice fed the diets mixed with p-XSC (4, 8, or 15 mg/kg) and auraptene (500 and 1000 mg/kg) were significantly greater than those in the control group. These results indicate that in mice, diet supplementation with p-XSC and auraptene reduces pulmonary metastasis of B16BL6 melanoma cells and inhibits the growth of these metastatic tumors in lung, in part, by inducing apoptosis. We suggest that these agents, especially p-XSC, may be valuable in preventing metastatic diseases in future studies in the clinic.     

Inhibition of 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene-induced skin tumors by a nutrient mixture

The annual incidence of all forms of skin cancer, the most common of all human cancers, is increasing yearly. A unique nutrient mixture (NM) was shown to exhibit anticancer activity in vivo and in vitro. We examined the effect of NM on the development of skin cancer induced by 7,12-dimethylbezanthracene (DMBA) in female SENCAR mice by a complete carcinogenesis protocol. Mice (n=55) were divided into four groups and carefully shaved on dorsum. After 2 days, the mice in Groups 1 (n=10), 3 (n=20), and 4 (n=20) were treated topically with 100 nM DMBA in 0.2 ml of acetone twice a week for 4 weeks; Group 2 (n=5), the control group, was treated with acetone 0.2 ml. Groups 1 and 2 were fed the regular diet. Group 3A (n=10) was fed a diet containing 0.5% NM from the day of DMBA treatment and 3B (n=10) the regular diet and received NM (75 mg in 0.4 ml of 1:1 acetone/water) topically to the shaved area 15 min before DMBA application twice a week for 4 weeks. Group 4 mice were fed a diet containing 0.5% NM for 2 weeks prior to the application of DMBA and then divided into two groups: 4A (n=10) was fed the 0.5% NM diet as in 3A, and 4B (n=10) the regular diet as described for 3B. Body weight and diet consumption of the mice were monitored and the skin tumors (papillomas) were counted and recorded. Ten weeks thereafter the mice were euthanized, skinned, and tumors were processed for histology. NM significantly (P<0.0001) inhibited DMBA-induced skin tumor multiplicity by 59, 62, 69, and 86% in NM-treated Groups 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B, respectively. These results suggest that NM has strong potential as a useful therapeutic regimen for skin cancer by significantly inhibiting the incidence and tumor multiplicity of DMBA-induced skin tumors.     

In vitro and in vivo antitumorigenic activity of a mixture of lysine, proline, ascorbic acid, and green tea extract on human breast cancer lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7

Current treatments are generally ineffective once breast cancer has metastasized; median survival is reduced to 2–3 yr. Previous research studies demonstrating potent synergistic antitumor activity of lysine, proline, ascorbic acid, and epigallocatechin gallate prompted us to investigate the in vivo inhibitory effect of a nutrient mixture containing lysine, proline, arginine, ascorbic acid, and epigallocatechin gallate (NM) on the growth of human cancer xenografts in female athymic nude mice. Five to six week old female mice were inoculated with 3×10⁶ breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231. After injection, the mice were randomly divided into two groups A and B; group A was fed a regular diet and group B with the regular diet supplemented with 0.5% of the nutrient mixture (NM). Four weeks later, the mice were sacrificed, and their tumors were excised, weighed, and processed for histology. We also tested the effect of NM in vitro on estrogen-receptor positive (ER⁺) MCF-7 and estrogen-receptor negative (ER⁻) MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines by measuring: cell proliferation by MTT assay, expression of MMPs by gelatinase zymography, invasion through Matrigel, and VEGF by ELISA. MCF-7 cells were also treated with estradiol to study enhanced invasion and expression of MMPs and VEGF. Results showed that NM inhibited the growth and reduced the size of tumors in female nude mice by 27%. Furthermore, histological evaluation revealed increased mitotic index, MMP-9 and VEGF secretion, and PAS material (mucin) in the control group tissues. In vitro studies showed NM inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell growth by 34% at 500 μg/mL and MCF-7 cell growth by 18% at 1000 μg/mL. Invasion of MDA-MB-231 through Matrigel was inhibited by 50%, 60%, and 95% by 10, 50, and 100 μg/mL of NM, respectively. The results of this study demonstrated that the nutrient mixture tested significantly suppressed tumor growth of breast cancer cells in female athymic nude mice and significantly inhibited MMP expression, angiogenesis, and invasion in breast cancer cells, in vitro, offering promise for therapeutic use in the treatment of breast cancer.     

Dietary fat influences on murine melanoma growth and lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity

The effects of fat concentration and saturation on the growth of a B16 melanoma and lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity against the cells were studied with the use of inbred C57BL/6J and C3H/HeJ mice subjected to dietary manipulation before and after tumor transplantation. The tumor latency for mice initially given injections of 5 X 10(6) syngeneic B16 melanoma cells was significantly less for those mice fed at 20% fat concentration than those fed only the essential fatty acid (EFA) diet. When mice were given injections of 10(6) melanoma cells, the initiation time required for visible tumor growth in mice receiving the polyunsaturated fat (PUF) diet was significantly less than that in mice receiving the saturated fat (SF) diet. Cytolysis mediated by lymphocytes from diet-manipulated mice toward allogeneic B16 melanoma cells was greater for those mice receiving the EFA diet only and 8% SF diets than for those mice fed a diet without fat. The cytolytic response decreased immediately with the additional PUF in the diet, whereas additional SF decreased cytolytic responses only when dietary SF concentration was greater than 8%. Thus dietary fat, particularly PUF, has a significant influence on the growth and lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity of a murine melanoma. This effect cannot be attributed to differences in the energy content between high-fat and low-fat diets.     

In vivo antitumor effect of ascorbic acid, lysine, proline and green tea extract on human colon cancer cell HCT 116 xenografts in nude mice: evaluation of tumor growth and immunohistochemistry

Colorectal cancer is the second most deadly cancer in the United States. When diagnosed early, current treatments bring a limited success; however, once metastasis occurs, radiation and chemotherapy are generally ineffective. Structural changes in the ECM are necessary for cell migration during tissue remodeling. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), VEGF, Ki-67 (proliferative protein), and constituents of ECM, such as fibronectin, play a critical role in angiogenesis and are thus crucial in neoplastic invasion and metastasis. Based on antitumor properties of certain nutrients, we investigated the effect of a diet containing lysine, proline, arginine, ascorbic acid, and green tea extract (NM) on the growth of tumors, induced by implanting human colon HCT 116 cancer cells in athymic nude mice, and the expression of MMPs, VEGF, Ki-67 and fibronectin in these tumors, as well as the production of mucin (by PAS staining). After one week of isolation, 5 to 6 week-old athymic male nude mice (n=12) were inoculated with 3x10(6) colon cancer HCT 116 cells. After injection, the mice were randomly divided into 2 groups; group A was fed a regular diet and group B was fed a regular diet supplemented with 0.5% NM. The mice were sacrificed 4 weeks later, and their tumors were excised, weighed, and processed for histology. Results showed that the nutrient mixture (NM) inhibited growth and reduced the size of tumors in nude mice. Furthermore, histological evaluation revealed increased mitotic index, MMP-9 and VEGF secretion and reduced basement membrane in the control group tissues. Nutrient supplementation strongly suppressed the growth of tumors without any adverse effects in nude mice, suggesting the nutrient combination has potential as an anticancer agent. Histological studies supported these findings by showing inhibition of MMP-9 and VEGF secretion and mitotic index, which are critical parameters for cancer control and prevention.     

High‐fat diet‐induced obesity increases lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in the B16F10 melanoma allograft model: Roles of adipocytes and M2‐macrophages

To examine the effects of high‐fat diet (HFD) on melanoma progression, HFD‐fed C57BL/6N mice were subcutaneously injected with syngeneic B16F10 melanoma cells. At 3 weeks post‐injection, the tumors were resected; the mice were then sacrificed at 2 weeks post‐resection. HFD stimulated melanoma growth and lymph node (LN) metastasis as well as tumor and LN lymphangiogenesis. Lipid vacuoles in the tumor and M2‐macrophage (MΦ)s in the adipose and tumor tissues were increased in HFD‐fed mice. CCL19 and CCL21 contents were higher in LNs than in tumors. HFD increased both CCL19 and CCL21 levels in LNs and CCR7 in tumors. Adipose tissue‐conditioned media (CM) from HFD‐fed mice enhanced lymphangiogenesis, and mature adipocyte (MA)/M2‐MΦ co‐culture CM markedly stimulated the tube formation of lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC)s and B16F10 migration. Monocyte migration was moderately stimulated by B16F10 or MA CM, but tremendously stimulated by B16F10/M2‐MΦ co‐culture CM, which was enhanced by MA/B16F10/M2‐MΦ co‐culture CM. The co‐culture results revealed that MAs increased CCL2, M‐CSF and CCR7 mRNAs in B16F10s; vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐D mRNA in M2‐MΦs; and CCL19, CCL21 and VEGF receptor (VEGFR)3 mRNA in LECs. M2‐MΦs increased CCL2, M‐CSF and VEGF‐A mRNAs in B16F10s, whereas B16F10s increased VEGF‐C mRNAs in M2‐MΦs and VEGFR3 mRNA in LECs. These results indicate that in HFD‐fed mice, MA‐induced CCL2 and M‐CSF in tumor cells increase M2‐MΦs in tumor; the crosstalk between tumor cells and M2‐MΦs further increases cytokines and angiogenic and lymphangiogenic factors. Additionally, MA‐stimulated CCL19, CCL21/CCR7 axis contributes to increased LN metastasis in HFD‐fed mice.     

Effect of Ascorbic Acid, Lysine, Proline, and Green Tea Extract on Human Osteosarcoma Cell Line MNNG-HOS Xenografts in Nude Mice: Evaluation of Tumor Growth and Immunohistochemistry.

Structural changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) are necessary for cell migration during tissue remodeling. MMPs, VEGF, Ki-67 (proliferative protein), and constituents of ECM play a critical role in angiogenesis and underlie neoplastic invasion and metastasis. This prompted us to investigate the effect of a diet containing lysine, proline, arginine, ascorbic acid, and green tea extract (NM) on the growth of tumors induced by implanting human osteosarcoma MNNG in athymic nude mice and the expression of MMPs, VEGF, Ki- 67 and fibronectin in these tumors, as well as the production of mucin (by PAS staining). We also investigated the effect of the supplemented diet on serum ascorbic acid, total protein content, alkaline phosphatase activity, and liver enzymes. Athymic male nude mice (n = 12) were inoculated with 3x106 osteosarcoma cells MNNG-HOS and randomly divided into group A (fed a regular diet) and group B (fed a regular diet supplemented with 0.5% NM). Four weeks later, the mice were sacrificed. Results showed that NM inhibited the growth and reduced the size of tumors in nude mice. Histological evaluation revealed increased mitotic index, MMP-9, and VEGF secretion in the control group tissues. Results demonstrate that the nutrient mixture of lysine, proline, arginine, ascorbic acid, and green tea extract tested strongly suppressed the growth of tumors without adverse effects in nude mice, suggesting potential as an anticancer agent.     

基因枪介导的neu基因DNA疫苗抗肿瘤作用的实验研究

目的 探讨DNA疫苗pWRG-neu的皮内免疫,对高表达neu基因的小鼠移植瘤生长和转移的抑制作用。方法 向小鼠黑色素瘤B16F10细胞系转染pcDNA-neu,用有限稀释法筛选一株高表达neu基因的细胞株B16F10-neu。在基因枪介导下,向C57BL／6小鼠导入DNA疫苗pWRG-neu,通过观察免疫动物的生存期,评价DNA疫苗的抗肿瘤作用。分离免疫动物脾细胞,经自体淋巴细胞混合培养实验,分析DNA疫苗体内免疫后机体的CTL应答。结果 筛选到一株高表达neu基因的B16F10-neu细胞株,转基因过程和外源基因的表达没有改变细胞系的增殖特性。用基因枪轰击,进行DNA疫苗pWRG-neu皮内免疫,对小鼠黑色素瘤B16F10-neu进行预防、治疗和抗转移的实验研究,结果表明,DNA疫苗的免疫能够明显推迟移植瘤的生长,延长小鼠生存期,获得明显的抗肿瘤效果。DNA疫苗免疫后可诱导小鼠脾淋巴细胞CTL活性。结论 基因枪介导的DNA疫苗pWRG-neu经皮内免疫,能够有效的诱导机体的细胞免疫应答,预防和治疗小鼠移植瘤的发生,并有一定的预防肿瘤肺转移的作用。     

Effects of dietary zinc on melanoma growth and experimental metastasis

These studies were designed to determine the effects of zinc on in vitro melanoma cell growth and in vivo metastasis. Cultured P51 mouse melanoma cells were larger, had longer doubling times and a decreased rate of tritiated-thymidine uptake when grown in zinc depleted compared to standard medium. Experimental metastasis was evaluated using intravenously injected, radiolabelled melanoma cells. Cell distribution and survival were determined 1, 3 and 21 days post-injection in C57BL/6 mice fed low zinc (0.5 and 4.0 mg Zn/kg) or stock diets. Altered organ distribution and survival of melanoma cells were observed in the zinc depleted dietary groups compared to the stock diet group. After 21 days of tumor growth, lungs of mice fed diets low in zinc contained up to 50% fewer labelled tumor cells than those of mice fed the stock diet. Livers of mice in the 0.5 mg Zn/kg group contained a greater percentage of tumor cells 21 days post-injection than those of mice fed the stock diet. Thus, dietary zinc can influence experimental tumor metastasis through modification in organ distribution of tumor cells and their subsequent survival.     

Effect of naturally occurring monoterpenes carvone, limonene and perillic acid in the inhibition of experimental lung metastasis induced by B16F-10 melanoma cells

The effects of naturally occurring monoterpenes on lung metastasis induced by B16F-10 melanoma cells were studied in C57BL/6 mice. Administration of monoterpenes such as limonene (100 micromoles/kg body wt. 10 doses i.p.) and perillic acid (50 micromoles/kg body wt 10 doses i.p.) remarkably reduced the metastatic tumour nodule formation by 65% and 67%, respectively. These results correlated with the biochemical parameters such as serum sialic acid, lung collagen hydroxyproline and uronic acid contents. Serum sialic acid level in control group was 126.8 microg/ml serum which was significantly lowered in limonene (49.3 microg/ml serum) and perillic acid treated animals (53.6 microg/ml serum). Uronic acid level was also inhibited to 56% and 39.7% in limonene and perillic acid treated animals, respectively. Histopathological studies also correlated with these above results. Administration of Carvone even at 100 micromoles/kg body wt. did not have any significant effect on the metastatic tumour growth. These results indicate that limonene and perillic acid could inhibit the metastatic progression of B16F-10 melanoma cells in mice.     

The inhibitory effect of flaxseed on the growth and metastasis of estrogen receptor negative human breast cancer xenograftsis attributed to both its lignan and oil components

Our previous studies have shown that dietary flaxseed (FS) can reduce the growth and metastasis of human estrogen receptor negative (ER-) breast cancer in nude mice. The aims of our study were to determine (i) whether the tumor inhibitory effect of FS was due to its oil (FO), lignan secoisolariciresinol diglycoside (SDG), or both components, and (ii) whether the effect on tumor growth was related to increased lipid peroxidation. Athymic nude mice were orthotopically injected with ER- breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-435) and 8 weeks later were fed either the basal diet (BD) or BD supplemented with 10% FS, SDG, FO, or combined SDG and FO (SDG + FO) for 6 weeks. The SDG and FO levels were equivalent to the amounts in the 10% FS. Compared to the BD group, the tumor growth rate was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the FS, FO, and SDG + FO groups, in concordance with decreased cell proliferation and increased apoptosis; however, these did not significantly relate to the lipid peroxidation, indexed as malonaldehyde (MDA), in the primary tumors. Lung metastasis incidence was reduced (16-70%) by all treatments, significantly in the FS and SDG + FO groups. The distant lymph node metastasis was significantly decreased (52%) only in the FO group. Although the total metastasis incidence was lowered (42%) significantly only in the SDG + FO group, all treatment groups did not differ significantly. In conclusion, FS reduced the growth and metastasis of established ER- human breast cancer in part due to its lignan and FO components, and not to lipid peroxidation.     

三肽化合物酪丝缬肽对小鼠黑色素瘤细胞B16-F10侵袭和转移的抑制作用

背景与目的:三肽化合物酪丝缬肽(tyroservaltide,YSV)对实验性肝癌具有明显抑制作用,本研究观察YSV对小鼠黑色素瘤细胞B16-F10侵袭和转移的抑制作用。方法:MTT法检测YSV对B16-F10的细胞毒作用;利用基质胶Matrigel研究YSV对细胞粘附能力的影响;用Transwell小室侵袭模型研究YSV对肿瘤细胞侵袭能力的改变;经C57/BL6小鼠尾静脉注射B16-F10细胞,建立人工肺转移模型,观察YSV对B16-F10肺转移的影响;免疫组化方法观察YSV对细胞间粘附分子(intercellularadhesionmolecule-1,ICAM-1)在肺组织中表达水平的影响。结果:100μg/mlYSV作用48h对B16-F10细胞的增殖抑制率为24.36%;作用24h对B16-F10细胞在Matrigel胶上的粘附抑制率为36.51%;10μg/mlYSV作用48h对B16-F10细胞的侵袭抑制率为36.53%;640μg·(kg·d)-1YSV抑制B16-F10的肺转移,抑制率为62.21%;YSV组ICAM-1的组织量明显少于生理盐水组。结论:YSV具有抑制B16-F10生长和侵袭转移的作用。     

Anti-angiogenic effect of Biophytum sensitivum is exerted through its cytokine modulation activity and inhibitory activity against VEGF mRNA expression, endothelial cell migration and capillary tube formation

Angiogenesis is a crucial step essential for the growth, progression and metastasis of solid tumors. Substances produced by inflammatory cells, such as cytokines play an important role in the stimulation and progression of angiogenesis. In this study we investigated the anti-angiogenic effect of Biophytum sensitivum, using in vivo as well as in vitro models. In vitro antiangiogenic activity was studied using B16-F10 melanoma cell-induced capillary formation in C57BL/6 mice. Intraperitoneal administration of the extract at a concentration of 50 mg/kg significantly inhibited the tumor directed capillary formation induced by melanoma cells. The cytokine profile in the serum of these animals showed a drastically increased level of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, GM-CSF and the direct endothelial cell proliferating agent, VEGF. Administration of Biophytum extract could differentially regulate these cytokine's elevation. The differential elevation is further evidenced by the increased production of IL-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease-1 (TIMP-1) in the B16-F10 injected, extract treated animals. The extract of B. sensitivum at non-toxic concentrations (1 microg/ml, 5 microg/ml and 10 microg/ml) inhibited the VEGF-induced vessel sprouting in rat aortic ring assay. Moreover, B. sensitivum was able to inhibit the VEGF-induced proliferation, cell migration and capillary-like tube formation of primary cultured human endothelial cells. Furthermore B. sensitivum showed inhibitory effect on VEGF mRNA levels in B16-F10 melanoma cells. Hence the observed antiangiogenic activity of the plant B. sensitivum is exerted through its cytokine modulation activity and inhibitory activity against VEGF mRNA expression.     

Effect of ascorbic acid, lysine, proline and green tea extract on human osteosarcoma cell line MNNG-HOS xenografts in nude mice

Structural changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) are necessary for cell migration during tissue remodeling MMPs, VEGF, Ki-67 (proliferative protein), and constitutents of ECM play a critical role in angiogenecontaining lysine, proline, arginine, ascorbic acid, and green tea extract (NM) on the growth of tumors induced by implanting human osteosarcoma MNNG in athymic nude mice and the expression of MMPs, VEGF, Ki-67 and fibroenectin in these tumors, as well as the production of mucin (by PAS staining). We also investigated the effect of the supplemented diet on serum ascorbic acid, total protein content, alkaline phosphatase activity, and liver enzymes Athymic male nude mice (n=12) were inoculated with 3×10⁶ osteosarcoma cells MNNG-HOS and randomy divided into group A (fed a regular diet) and group B (fed a regular diet supplemented with 0.5% NM). Four weeks later, the mice were sacrificed. Results showed that NM inhibited the growth and reduced the size of tumors in nude mice. Histological evaluation revealed increased mitotic index, MMP-9, and VEGF secretion in the control group tissues. Results demonstrate that the nutrient mixture of lysine, proline, arginine, ascorbic acid, and green tea extract tested strongly suppressed the growth of tumors without adverse effects in nude mice, suggesting potential as an anticancer agent.     

Susceptibility of RDM4 lymphoma cells to LAK-mediated lysis is decreased in tumor bearers fed fish oil high fat regimen

RDM4 lymphoma cells were grown intraperitoneally in genetically compatible AKR mice fed either regular mouse chow, or diet supplemented with either saturated fat (hydrogenated beef tallow = HBT) or unsaturated fat (fish oil = FO). It was observed that the lymphoma cells number was significantly greater in FO-fed hosts and lower in HBT-fed hosts, than in the mice fed regular chow. The tumor bearers diet did not dramatically influence the rate of DNA synthesis of RDM4 cells, as measured by [3H]thymidine uptake in culture, a few hours after harvesting from the peritoneal cavity. It was repeatedly found that FO feeding of the tumor bearers elicited an increased resistance of RDM4 cells to lysis by LAK effectors, as appraised in vitro by 51Cr release test and in vivo by the "Winn assay". Different FO percentage of the diet (16%, 8%, 4%) resulted in comparable reduction of susceptibility of RDM4 cells to lysis by LAK effectors. Lipid analysis showed that RDM4 cells grown in mice fed FO diet or HBT diet differed markedly in their fatty acid composition and that their resistance to lysis by LAK cells correlated with the quantity of oxidizable fatty acids especially of the n-6 type.     

Analysis of the mechanism of cancer metastasis by using anticancer agents

For the analysis of the mechanism of cancer metastasis, effects of anticancer agents on the NK activity of spleen cells and on the artificial metastasis of B-16 melanoma cells were comparatively studied. The inhibitory effect of these anticancer agents on the growth of B-16 melanoma inoculated to foot pad of C57/BL6 mice was also examined. The growth of B-16 melanoma was inhibited by intravenous administration of 6 mg/kg of MMC, 18 mg/kg of KW-2083 and 5 mg/kg of CDDP, but not of 6 mg/kg of KW-2083. The NK activities in spleen cells of C57/BL6 mice administered with 6 mg/kg of MMC and 18 mg/kg of KW-2083 were decreased, but they were not decreased in mice administered with 6 mg/kg of KW 2083 and 5 mg/kg of CDDP. Significant increases in the number of artificial pulmonary and liver metastasis were observed in mice administered with 6 mg/kg of MMC and 18 mg/kg of KW-2083. It is suggested that the depression of NK activity induced by anticancer agents results in the promotion of metastatic disease.     

Genetically fluorescent melanoma bone and organ metastasis models.

We report here the establishment and metastatic properties of bright, highly stable, green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression transductants of the B16 mouse malignant melanoma cell line and the LOX human melanoma line. The highly fluorescent malignant melanoma cell lines allowed the visualization of skeletal and multiorgan metastases after i.v. injection of B16 cells in C57BL/6 mice and intradermal injection of LOX cells in nude mice. The melanoma cell lines were transduced with the pLEIN expression retroviral vector containing the GFP and neomycin resistance genes. Stable B16F0 and LOX clones expressing high levels of GFP were selected stepwise in vitro in levels of G418 of up to 800 microg/ml. Extensive bone and bone marrow metastases of B16F0 were visualized by GFP expression when the animals were sacrificed 3 weeks after cell implantation. Metastases for both cell lines were visualized in many organs, including the brain, lung, pleural membrane, liver, kidney, adrenal gland, lymph nodes, skeleton, muscle, and skin by GFP fluorescence. This is the first observation of experimental skeletal metastases of melanoma, which was made possible by GFP expression. These models should facilitate future studies of the mechanism and therapy of bone and multiorgan metastasis of melanoma.     

Long exposure of non-cytotoxic concentrations of methylselenol suppresses the invasive potential of B16F10 melanoma

To assess the inhibitory effects of methylselenol on the invasion of murine B16F10 melanoma cells, we carried out in vivo and in vitro experiments using Se-methylselenocysteine (Se-MSC) and selenomethionine (SeMet), respectively. In an animal experiment, the supplementation of drinking water with Se-MSC (4 ppm Se) led to a significant increase in Se levels in the lung, liver and serum in mice. Mice given a mash diet or water supplemented with Se-MSC (2, 4 and 6 ppm Se in the mash diet, and 2 and 4 ppm Se in the drinking water) displayed an almost completely diminished pulmonary metastasis of B16F10 melanoma cells and an enhanced survival, compared to the control mice which were given a basal diet. Treatment with non-cytotoxic concentrations of SeMet (2.5, 5 and 10 microM plus 0.02 U/ml METase, methioninase) induced a substantial decrease in the expression of integrin alphavbeta3, the FN receptor and adhesion ability to vitronectin (VN) and fibronectin (FN) in B16F10 melanoma cells. Moreover, these compounds suppressed gelatinase activity, invasive ability and wound migration in the culture system. SeMet-METase prevented the conversion of pro-MMP-9 to its active form and decreased pro-MMP-2 activities in a zymogram. The pre-treatment of B16F10 melanoma cells with SeMet-METase led to a decrease in pulmonary metastasis and extended survival in mice injected with tumor cells. Collectively, our results indicate that integrin expression is crucial in promoting the metastatic phenotype in murine B16F10 melanoma cells by supporting specific adhesive and invasive properties, suggesting that Se-MSC effectively reduces the metastasis of B16F10 melanoma cells as a nutritional adjuvant. Methylselenol may also contribute to the suppression of integrin expression.