Positive Health Online

Abstract

ZHU and COLLEAGUES, 1. School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, People's Republic of China. guanfangxia@126.com ;2. School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, People's Republic of China; 3. The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, People's Republic of China.

Background

β-carotene, a type of terpenoid, has many metabolic and physiological functions. In particular, β-carotene has an antitumour effect. However, the efficacy of β-carotene against oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear.

Methodology

In our study, β-carotene inhibited the growth of ESCC cells and downregulated expression of the Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) protein. Cav-1 protein was expressed only in ESCC cells, not in Het-1A cells. Moreover, β-carotene triggered apoptosis, induced cell cycle G0⁄G1 phase arrest, and inhibited cell migration. To explore the mechanism involved in these processes, we further examined the effect of β-carotene on the Cav-1-mediated AKT/NF-κB pathway.

Results

The results showed that the level of AKT and NF-κB phosphorylation was dramatically inhibited, which led to an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Correspondingly, the activity of Caspase-3 was also enhanced.

Conclusion

These data suggest that β-carotene has an antiproliferative role in ESCC cells and may be a promising chemotherapeutic agent for use against ESCC cells.

References

Zhu X1, Zhang Y2, Li Q2, Yang L2, Zhang N2,3, Ma S2, Zhang K2, Song J2, Guan F2,3. β-Carotene Induces Apoptosis in Human Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines via the Cav-1/AKT/NF-κB Signaling Pathway. J Biochem Mol Toxicol.30(3):148-57. doi: 10.1002/jbt.21773. Mar 2016. Epub Jan 6 2016.

Comment

The above research suggests that β-carotene has an antiproliferative effect in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and may be a promising agent in ESCC cells.