Positive Health Online

Abstract

VALENTI and COLLEAGUES, Department of Medicine, Clinic of Internal Medicine, section D, University of Verona, Piazzale Scuro, 10, 37134 Verona, Italy luca.dallecarbonare@univr.it investigated the effect of ascorbic acid (AsA - vitamin C) on osteogenic differentiation and apoptosis of the MG-63 osteosarcoma cell line.

Background

Osteosarcoma originates from mesenchymal stem cells with impaired bone differentiation. In the present study the authors investigated the effect of ascorbic acid (AsA – vitamin C) on osteogenic differentiation and apoptosis of the MG-63 osteosarcoma cell line.

Methodology

The authors evaluated the expression of runt-related transcription factor-2 (RUNX2) and secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) genes by real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and of endogenous bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) and osteocalcin proteins by immunohistochemistry. They analyzed osteoblast maturation by phosphatase alkaline synthesis and calcium deposition, and apoptosis by (TUNEL) test and Annexin staining.

Results

The results showed that RUNX2 and SPP1 gene expression was increased in cells treated with low concentrations of AsA with respect to untreated cells. At higher concentrations, AsA induced apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells, possibly with the involvement of p21.

Conclusion

Our findings support the ability of AsA - vitamin C to induce both differentiation, by affecting the target involved in early and late phases of osteogenic maturation, and apoptosis in poorly-differentiated osteosarcoma cells.

References

Valenti MT, Zanatta M, Donatelli L, Viviano G, Cavallini C, Scupoli MT, Dalle  Carbonare L. Ascorbic acid induces either differentiation or apoptosis in MG-63 osteosarcoma lineage. Anticancer Res. 34(4):1617-27. PMID: 24692690.  April 2014.

Comment

The above research demonstrates, at the molecular level, the ability of ascorbic acid - Vitamin C to induce apoptosis of osteosarcoma cancer cells, possibly via p21 action.