Positive Health Online

Abstract

ISRAEL, YU and KLINE, Division of Nutrition, University of Texas at Austin 78712, USA described how Vitamin E succinate induces apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells.

Background

Methodology

Results

The authors investigated the apoptosis-triggering properties of Vitamin E succinate (VES, RRR-alpha-tocopheryl succinate) for human LNCap and PC-3 carcinoma cells and normal PrEC human prostate epithelial cells were investigated. LNCaP and PC-3 were sensitive to VES-induced apoptosis with 100% and 60% of cells undergoing apoptosis after three days of treatment with 10 micrograms of VES/ml, respectively. PrEC cells were resistant to VES-induced apoptosis. Treatment of prostate cells with agonistic anti-Fas antibody triggered apoptosis in approximately 50% of PC-3 cells within 48 hours, whereas LNCaP and PrEC cells were resistant. Prostate cells simultaneously treated with VES and agonistic anti-Fas antibodies revealed 1) no effect on PrEC cells 2) an additive effect on Fas-sensitive PC-3 cells and 3) a synergistic effect on LNCaP cells. VES treatment of LNCaP cells caused depletion of cytosolic 43 kDa Fas, enhanced membrane levels of 43kDa Fas that was enhanced by VES treatments. Fas ligand expression by LNCaP cells were enhanced by VES treatments.

Conclusion

The authors conclude that VES triggers apoptosis in human prostate carcinoma cells but not normal prostate cells in vitro and that VES modulates Fas signalling.

References

Israel K et al. Vitamin E succinate induces apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells: role for Fas in vitamin E succinate-triggered apoptosis. Nutrition and Cancer 36(1): 90-100. 2000.