Protective role of aspirin, vitamin C, and zinc and their effects on zinc status in the DMH-induced colon carcinoma model

Role of Combination Treatment of Aspirin and Zinc in DMH-DSS-induced Colon Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Tumour Progression in Male BALB/c Mice

Colitis-associated colorectal cancer serves as a prototype of inflammation-associated cancers which is linked with repeated cycles of inflammation and DNA repair deficits. Several preclinical and clinical data reported that aspirin has a chemo-preventive effect in colorectal cancer and is associated with dose-dependent side effects. Furthermore, it has been reported that zinc supplementation improves the quality of life in patients undergoing chemotherapy by alteration of colonic cancer cell gene expression. However, explication of the detailed molecular mechanisms involved in the combined administration of aspirin and zinc-mediated protection against colitis-associated colorectal cancer deserves further investigation. For the induction of colitis-associated colorectal cancer, male BALB/c mice were administered 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride (DMH) 20 mg/kg/bw thrice before the initiation of every DSS cycle (3%w/v in drinking water). One week after the initiation of DSS treatment, aspirin (40 mg/kg; p.o.) and zinc in the form of zinc sulphate (3 mg/kg; p.o.) were administered for 8 weeks. Combination of aspirin and zinc as intervention significantly ameliorated DAI score, myeloperoxidase activity, histological score, apoptotic cells and protein expression of various inflammatory markers including nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NFκBp65), cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6); proliferation markers such as proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) expression significantly decreased, and antioxidant enzymes nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), metallothionein, catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) significantly increased as evaluated by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis.

Biochemical and pathophysiological improvements in rats with thioacetamide induced-hepatocellular carcinoma using aspirin plus vitamin C

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death, so we should be concerned and look for effective/less-harmful treatments than chemotherapeutics already clinically in application. Aspirin works well ''in conjunction'' with other therapies for HCC since aspirin can boost the sensitivity of anti-cancer activity. Vitamin C also was shown to have antitumor effects. In this study, we examined the anti-HCC activities of synergistic combination (aspirin and vitamin C) vs. doxorubicin on HCC-bearing rats and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2) cells.

METHODS

In vitro, we evaluated IC₅₀ and selectivity index (SI) using HepG-2 and human lung fibroblast (WI-38) cell lines. In vivo, four rat groups were used: Normal, HCC (intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered 200 mg thioacetamide/kg/twice a week), HCC + DOXO (HCC-bearing rats i.p. administered 0.72 mg doxorubicin (DOXO)/rat/once a week), and HCC + Aspirin + Vit. C (i.p. administered vitamin C (Vit. C) 4 g/kg/day after day concomitant with aspirin 60 mg/kg/orally day after day). We evaluated biochemical factors [aminotransferases (ALT and AST), albumin, and bilirubin (TBIL) spectrophotometrically, caspase 8 (CASP8), p53, Bcl2 associated X protein (BAX), caspase 3 (CASP3), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), cancer antigen 19.9 (CA19.9), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) using ELISA], and liver histopathologically.

RESULTS

HCC induction was accompanied by significant time-dependent elevations in all measured biochemical parameters except the p53 level significantly declined. Liver tissue architecture organization appeared disturbed with cellular infiltration, trabeculae, fibrosis, and neovascularization. Following drug medication, all biochemical levels significantly reversed toward normal, with fewer signs of carcinogenicity in liver tissues. Compared to doxorubicin, aspirin & vitamin C therapy ameliorations were more appreciated. In vitro, combination therapy (aspirin & vitamin C) exhibited potent cytotoxicity (HepG-2 IC₅₀ of 17.41 ± 1.4 µg/mL) and more excellent safety with a SI of 3.663.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our results, aspirin plus vitamin C can be considered reliable, accessible, and efficient synergistic anti-HCC medication.

Zinc and gut microbiota in health and gastrointestinal disease under the COVID-19 suggestion

Microelements represent an emerging resource for medicine and its preventive branch. Zinc is the second most abundant element in our organism with peculiar physiologic functions and pathophysiologic implications in systemic and gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. It interacts very often with gut microbiota (GM) and can affect natural course of GI diseases through a bidirectional relationship with intestinal bugs. We aimed to review literature data regarding zinc chemistry, role in health, and GI diseases in man with a special focus on its interaction with GM. We conducted a search on the main medical databases for original articles, reviews, meta-analyses, randomized clinical trials and case series using the following keywords and acronyms and their associations: zinc, microelements, gut microbiota, gut health, and COVID-19. Zinc has a rapid and simple metabolism and limited storage within our body. Its efficacy on immune system modulation reflects on improved response to pathogens, reduced inflammatory response, and improved atopic/allergic reactions. Zinc is also involved in cell cycle regulation (namely, apoptosis) with potential anti-cancerogenic effects. All these effects are in a "symbiotic" relationship with GM. Finally, zinc shows preliminary viral antireplicative effects. Zinc seems to gain more and more evidences on its efficacy in allergic, atopic and infectious diseases treatment, and prevention. COVID-19 can be the booster for research on future applications of zinc as perfect "postbiotic" in medicine.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.): Its Chemistry, Nutritional Composition, Toxicity and Anticancer Properties

The current review discuss the chemistry, nutritional composition, toxicity, and biological functions of garlic and its bioactive compounds against various types of cancers via different anticancer mechanisms. Several scientific documents were found in reliable literature and searched in databases viz Science Direct, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Research Gate were carried out using keywords such as "garlic", "garlic bioactive compounds", "anticancer mechanisms of garlic", "nutritional composition of garlic", and others. Garlic contains several phytoconstituents with activities against cancer, and these compounds such as diallyl trisulfide (DATS), allicin, and diallyl disulfide (DADS), diallyl sulfide (DAS), and allyl mercaptan (AM). The influence of numerous garlic-derived products, phytochemicals, and nanoformulations on the liver, oral, prostate, breast, gastric, colorectal, skin, and pancreatic cancers has been studied. Based on our search, the bioactive molecules in garlic were found to inhibit the various phases of cancer. Moreover, the compounds in this plant also abrogate the peroxidation of lipids, activity of nitric oxide synthase, epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), protein kinase C, and regulate cell cycle and survival signaling cascades. Hence, garlic and its bioactive molecules exhibit the aforementioned mechanistic actions and thus, they could be used to inhibit the induction, development and progression of cancer. The review describes the nutritional Composition of garlic, its bioactive molecules, and nanoformulations against various types of cancers, as well as the potential for developing these agents as antitumor drugs.

Prevention of Colorectal Carcinogenesis by DNA-Binding Small-Molecule Curaxin CBL0137 Involves Suppression of Wnt Signaling

Chemoprevention is considered a valid approach to reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer, one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Here, we investigated the tumor-preventive activity of curaxin CBL0137. This compound represents a new class of nonmutagenic DNA-binding small molecules that alter chromatin stability and inhibit the function of the histone chaperone FACT. Among downstream effects of CBL0137 treatment are activation of p53 and type I interferons and inhibition of NFκB, HSF1, and MYC. In addition, our data show that in both human and mouse colorectal cancer cells in vitro, CBL0137 inhibits the APC/WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway, which plays a key role in colon carcinogenesis. Using quantitative RT-PCR and microarray hybridization, we have demonstrated decreased expression of multiple components and downstream targets of the WNT pathway in colon cancer cells treated with CBL0137. At the same time, CBL0137 induced expression of WNT antagonists. Inhibition of WNT signaling activity by CBL0137 was also confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. Tumor-preventive activity of CBL0137 in vivo was tested in a murine model of colorectal carcinogenesis induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH), which is known to involve WNT pathway dysregulation. After DMH subcutaneous treatment, mice were administered CBL0137 in drinking water. Efficacy of CBL0137 in suppressing development of colorectal cancer in this model was evidenced by reduced incidence of adenocarcinomas and adenomas in both males and females and decrease in tumor multiplicity. These data support the prospective use of CBL0137 in chemoprevention of colorectal cancer as well as of other malignances associated with activated WNT signaling.

Expression of Metallothionein after Administration of Aspirin, Vitamin C or Zinc Supplement in the DMH Induced Colon Carcinoma in Rat

Background:

Chemoprevention refers to the use of specificnatural or synthetic chemical agents to suppress the development and progression to carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of aspirin, vitamin C or zinc on the metallothionein (MT) mRNA gene expression as well as MT protein content byimmunohistochemistry andradioimmunoassay (RIA) in 1, 2-dimethyl hydrazine (DMH) induced cancerous colonic tissuein rats.

Methods:

Rats were randomly divided into three groups, group 1 (aspirin), group 2 (vitamin C) group 3 (zinc), each of which was further sub divided into two groups and given subcutaneous injections of DMH (30 mg/kg body weight) twice a week for 3 months and sacrificed at either 4 months (A-precancer model) or at 6 months (B-cancer model). The control groups were administered 0.5 ml saline subcutaneously. All the 3 groups were simultaneouslyadministered aspirin, vitamin Cor zinc supplement respectively from the beginning till the end of the study.

Results:

It was observed that rats co-treated with aspirin, vitamin C or zinc resulted in a significant increase in the colonic MT mRNA expression in the precancer and cancer model as compared to the saline only controls. MT protein expression showed a 60%, 64% and 78% immunopositivity in the co-treated groups respectively. The mean MT content in the precancer and the cancer model was restored to near normal levels in all the three co-treated groups.

Conclusion:

These results suggest that co-administration of aspirin, vitamin C or zinc resulted in a significant increase in MT mRNA gene expression, MT protein expression and MT protein content which could possibly be one of the reasons for a chemo protective effect against progression to colonic cancer in a chemically induced DMH model in rat. Zinc supplement had a greater effect on metallothionein expression than aspirin or vitamin C.

Micronutrients: A double-edged sword in microbial-induced gastric carcinogenesis

Epidemiologic studies throughout the world have uniformly demonstrated significant relationships between the intake of dietary micronutrients and gastric cancer risk. An exciting concept that has gained considerable traction recently is that micronutrients modulate gene expression within Helicobacter pylori, the strongest identified risk factor for gastric carcinogenesis. We present evidence here that essential micronutrients have a direct effect on H. pylori virulence, which subsequently affects interactions at the host-pathogen interface, thereby facilitating the development of premalignant and malignant lesions in the stomach. Further, these fundamental concepts provide a framework for understanding mechanisms driving the development of other malignancies that arise from foci of gastrointestinal inflammation.

Elevated mean platelet volume is associated with presence of colon cancer

BACKGROUND

Colon cancer is the second most common cancer in developed countries. Activated platelets play a key role in inflammation and atherothrombosis, with mean platelet volume (MPV) is an early marker of platelet activation. The aim of the study was to clarify the relevance of MPV in patients with colon cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We measured MPV levels in 128 patients with colon cancer before and after surgery, and 128 controls matched for age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and smoking status. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for colon cancer were calculated using multivariate logistic regression analyses across MPV quartiles.

RESULTS

Patients with colon cancer had higher MPV compared with controls. Surgical tumor resection resulted in a significant decrease in MPV levels (11.4 fL vs 10.7 fL; p<0.001). A positive correlation between MPV and tumor-nodule-metastases (TNM) stage was found. Furthermore, after adjusting for other risk factors, the ORs (95%CIs) for colon cancer according to MPV quartiles were 1.000, 2.238 (1.014-4.943), 3.410 (1.528-7.613), and 5.379 (2.372-12.198), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings show that patients with colon cancer have higher MPV levels compared with controls, and these are reduced after surgery. In addition, MPV was found to be independently associated with the presence of colon cancer. Further studies are warranted to assess the utility of MPV as a novel diagnostic screening tool for colon cancer.

Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in colorectal adenocarcinoma: an immunohistochemical and histopathological study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) immunoreactivity in colorectal adenocarcinomas and to find correlations with different pathological features.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 35 cases of colorectal carcinoma for which surgical colectomy specimens were collected. Immunohistochemical staining of COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) is done by using the Streptavidin-biotin technique.

RESULTS

This work reveals that COX-2 is positive in most cases of colorectal carcinoma and negative in normal colon tissue with statistically non significant relations between COX-2 immunostaining and different pathological features.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest overexpression of COX-2 protein in colorectal carcinoma in contrast to normal mucosa, with a possible role in cell proliferation in carcinogenesis.

Zinc and gastrointestinal disease

This review is a current summary of the role that both zinc deficiency and zinc supplementation can play in the etiology and therapy of a wide range of gastrointestinal diseases. The recent literature describing zinc action on gastrointestinal epithelial tight junctions and epithelial barrier function is described. Zinc enhancement of gastrointestinal epithelial barrier function may figure prominently in its potential therapeutic action in several gastrointestinal diseases.