Contribution of serine, folate and glycine metabolism to the ATP, NADPH and purine requirements of cancer cells

Recent observations on cancer cell metabolism indicate increased serine synthesis from glucose as a marker of poor prognosis. We have predicted that a fraction of the synthesized serine is routed to a pathway for ATP production. The pathway is composed by reactions from serine synthesis, one-carbon (folate) metabolism and the glycine cleavage system (SOG pathway). Here we show that the SOG pathway is upregulated at the level of gene expression in a subset of human tumors and that its level of expression correlates with gene signatures of cell proliferation and Myc target activation. We have also estimated the SOG pathway metabolic flux in the NCI60 tumor-derived cell lines, using previously reported exchange fluxes and a personalized model of cell metabolism. We find that the estimated rates of reactions in the SOG pathway are highly correlated with the proliferation rates of these cell lines. We also observe that the SOG pathway contributes significantly to the energy requirements of biosynthesis, to the NADPH requirement for fatty acid synthesis and to the synthesis of purines. Finally, when the PC-3 prostate cancer cell line is treated with the antifolate methotrexate, we observe a decrease in the ATP levels, AMP kinase activation and a decrease in ribonucleotides and fatty acids synthesized from [1,2-¹³C₂]-D-glucose as the single tracer. Taken together our results indicate that the SOG pathway activity increases with the rate of cell proliferation and it contributes to the biosynthetic requirements of purines, ATP and NADPH of cancer cells.

Metabolic sensitivity of pancreatic tumour cell apoptosis to glycogen phosphorylase inhibitor treatment

Inhibitors of glycogen breakdown regulate glucose homeostasis by limiting glucose production in diabetes. Here we demonstrate that restrained glycogen breakdown also inhibits cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis through limiting glucose oxidation, as well as nucleic acid and de novo fatty acid synthesis. Increasing doses (50-100 microM) of the glycogen phosphorylase inhibitor CP-320626 inhibited [1,2-(13)C(2)]glucose stable isotope substrate re-distribution among glycolysis, pentose and de novo fatty acid synthesis in MIA pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. Limited oxidative pentose-phosphate synthesis, glucose contribution to acetyl CoA and de novo fatty acid synthesis closely correlated with decreased cell proliferation. The stable isotope-based dynamic metabolic profile of MIA cells indicated a significant dose-dependent decrease in macromolecule synthesis, which was detected at lower drug doses and before the appearance of apoptosis markers. Normal fibroblasts (CRL-1501) did not show morphological or metabolic signs of apoptosis likely due to their slow rate of growth and metabolic activity. This indicates that limiting carbon re-cycling and rapid substrate mobilisation from glycogen may be an effective and selective target site for new drug development in rapidly dividing cancer cells. In conclusion, pancreatic cancer cell growth arrest and death are closely associated with a characteristic decrease in glycogen breakdown and glucose carbon re-distribution towards RNA/DNA and fatty acids during CP-320626 treatment.

Cultured pancreatic ductal cells undergo cell cycle re-distribution and beta-cell-like differentiation in response to glucagon-like peptide-1

The intestinal hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has been shown to promote an increase in pancreatic beta-cell mass via proliferation of islet cells and differentiation of non-insulin-secreting cells. In this study, we have characterized some of the events that lead to the differentiation of pancreatic ductal cells in response to treatment with human GLP-1. Rat pancreatic ductal (ARIP) cells were cultured in the presence of GLP-1 and analyzed for cell counting, cell cycle distribution, expression of cyclin-dependent-kinase (Cdk) inhibitors, transcription of beta-cell-specific genes, loss of ductal-like phenotype and acquisition of beta-cell-like gene expression profile. Exposure of ARIP cells to 10 nM GLP-1 induced a significant reduction in the cell replication rate and a significant decrease in the percentage of cells in S phase of the cell cycle. This was associated with an increase in the number of cells in G0-G1 phase and a reduction of cells in G2-M phase. Western blot analysis for the Cdk inhibitors, kinase inhibitor protein 1 (p27(Kip1)) and Cdk-interacting protein 1 (p21(Cip1)), demonstrated a significant increase in p27(Kip1) and p21(Cip1) levels within the first 24 h from the beginning of GLP-1 treatment. As cells slowed down their proliferation rate, GLP-1 also induced a time-dependent expression of various beta-cell-specific mRNAs. The glucose transporter GLUT-2 was the first of those factors to be expressed (24 h treatment), followed by insulin (44 h) and finally by the enzyme glucokinase (56 h). In addition, immunocytochemistry analysis showed that GLP-1 induced a time-dependent down-regulation of the ductal marker cytokeratin-20 (CK-20) and a time-dependent induction of insulin expression. Finally, GLP-1 promoted a glucose-dependent secretion of insulin, as demonstrated by HPLC and RIA analyses of the cell culture medium. The present study has demonstrated that GLP-1 induces a cell cycle re-distribution with a decrease in cell proliferation rate prior to promoting the differentiation of cells towards an endocrine-like phenotype.

Gleevec (STI571) influences metabolic enzyme activities and glucose carbon flow toward nucleic acid and fatty acid synthesis in myeloid tumor cells

Chronic myeloid leukemia cells contain a constitutively active Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase, the target protein of Gleevec (STI571) phenylaminopyrimidine class protein kinase inhibitor. Here we provide evidence for metabolic phenotypic changes in cultured K562 human myeloid blast cells after treatment with increasing doses of STI571 using [1,2-13C2]glucose as the single tracer and biological mass spectrometry. In response to 0.68 and 6.8 microm STI571, proliferation of Bcr-Abl-positive K562 cells showed a 57% and 74% decrease, respectively, whereas glucose label incorporation into RNA decreased by 13.4% and 30.1%, respectively, through direct glucose oxidation, as indicated by the decrease in the m1/Sigma(m)n ratio in RNA. Based on the in vitro proliferation data, the IC50 of STI571 in K562 cultures is 0.56 microm. The decrease in 13C label incorporation into RNA ribose was accompanied by a significant fall in hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphate 1-dehydrogenase activities. The activity of transketolase, the enzyme responsible for nonoxidative ribose synthesis in the pentose cycle, was less affected, and there was a relative increase in glucose carbon incorporation into RNA through nonoxidative synthesis as indicated by the increase in the m2/Sigma(m)n ratio in RNA. The restricted use of glucose carbons for de novo nucleic acid and fatty acid synthesis by altering metabolic enzyme activities and pathway carbon flux of the pentose cycle constitutes the underlying mechanism by which STI571 inhibits leukemia cell glucose substrate utilization and growth. The administration of specific hexokinase/glucose-6-phosphate 1-dehydrogenase inhibitor anti-metabolite substrates or competitive enzyme inhibitor compounds, alone or in combination, should be explored for the treatment of STI571-resistant advanced leukemias as well as that of Bcr-Abl-negative human malignancies.

Isofenphos induced metabolic changes in K562 myeloid blast cells

The organophosphate pesticide, isofenphos, is associated with human myeloid leukemia. In this study we describe metabolic changes in K562 myeloid blast cells from exposure to varying concentrations of isofenphos using the stable [1,2-13C(2)]glucose isotope as the single tracer and biological mass spectrometry. Isofenphos (1, 10, 100 microg/ml/72 h) treated K562 cells showed increases of 10.7, 33.8 and 39.7% in lactate production as well as a 14.2% increase (1 microg/ml/72 h) in 13C incorporation into nucleic acid ribose from glucose. Concomitantly, we observed a decrease in glucose oxidation and the synthesis of glutamate, palmitate and stearate from glucose. Our results demonstrate that this organophosphate pesticide exerts a leukemogenic effect by the recruitment of glucose carbons for nucleic acid synthesis thus promoting proliferation simultaneous with poor differentiation. The imbalanced metabolic phenotype with a severe defect in glucose oxidation, lipid and amino acid synthesis concurrent with de novo synthesis of nucleic acids in response to isofenphos treatment conforms to the invasive proliferating phenotype observed in TGF-beta treated lung epithelial carcinoma cells.

The effect of thiamine supplementation on tumour proliferation. A metabolic control analysis study

Thiamine deficiency frequently occurs in patients with advanced cancer and therefore thiamine supplementation is used as nutritional support. Thiamine (vitamin B1) is metabolized to thiamine pyrophosphate, the cofactor of transketolase, which is involved in ribose synthesis, necessary for cell replication. Thus, it is important to determine whether the benefits of thiamine supplementation outweigh the risks of tumor proliferation. Using oxythiamine (an irreversible inhibitor of transketolase) and metabolic control analysis (MCA) methods, we measured an in vivo tumour growth control coefficient of 0.9 for the thiamine-transketolase complex in mice with Ehrlich's ascites tumour. Thus, transketolase enzyme and thiamine clearly determine cell proliferation in the Ehrlich's ascites tumour model. This high control coefficient allows us to predict that in advanced tumours, which are commonly thiamine deficient, supplementation of thiamine could significantly increase tumour growth through transketolase activation. The effect of thiamine supplementation on tumour proliferation was demonstrated by in vivo experiments in mice with the ascites tumour. Thiamine supplementation in doses between 12.5 and 250 times the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for mice were administered starting on day four of tumour inoculation. We observed a high stimulatory effect on tumour growth of 164% compared to controls at a thiamine dose of 25 times the RDA. This growth stimulatory effect was predicted on the basis of correction of the pre-existing level of thiamine deficiency (42%), as assayed by the cofactor/enzyme ratio. Interestingly, at very high overdoses of thiamine, approximately 2500 times the RDA, thiamine supplementation had the opposite effect and caused 10% inhibition of tumour growth. This effect was heightened, resulting in a 36% decrease, when thiamine supplementation was administered from the 7th day prior to tumour inoculation. Our results show that thiamine supplementation sufficient to correct existing thiamine deficiency stimulates tumour proliferation as predicted by MCA. The tumour inhibitory effect at high doses of thiamine is unexplained and merits further study.

Wheat germ extract decreases glucose uptake and RNA ribose formation but increases fatty acid synthesis in MIA pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells

The fermented wheat germ extract with standardized benzoquinone composition has potent tumor propagation inhibitory properties. The authors show that this extract induces profound metabolic changes in cultured MIA pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells when the [1,2-13C2]glucose isotope is used as the single tracer with biologic gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. MIA cells treated with 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/mL wheat germ extract showed a dose-dependent decrease in cell glucose consumption. uptake of isotope into ribosomal RNA (2.4%, 9.4%, and 28.0%), and release of 13CO2. Conversely, direct glucose oxidation and ribose recycling in the pentose cycle showed a dose-dependent increase of 1.2%, 20.7%, and 93.4%. The newly synthesized fraction of cell palmitate and the 13C enrichment of acetyl units were also significantly increased with all doses of wheat germ extract. The fermented wheat germ extract controls tumor propagation primarily by regulating glucose carbon redistribution between cell proliferation-related and cell differentiation-related macromolecules. Wheat germ extract treatment is likely associated with the phosphorylation and transcriptional regulation of metabolic enzymes that are involved in glucose carbon redistribution between cell proliferation-related structural and functional macromolecules (RNA, DNA) and the direct oxidative degradation of glucose, which have devastating consequences for the proliferation and survival of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells in culture.

Role of thiamin (vitamin B-1) and transketolase in tumor cell proliferation

Metabolic control analysis predicts that stimulators of transketolase enzyme synthesis such as thiamin (vitamin B-1) support a high rate of nucleic acid ribose synthesis necessary for tumor cell survival, chemotherapy resistance, and proliferation. Metabolic control analysis also predicts that transketolase inhibitor drugs will have the opposite effect on tumor cells. This may have important implications in the nutrition and future treatment of patients with cancer.

Genistein inhibits nonoxidative ribose synthesis in MIA pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells: a new mechanism of controlling tumor growth

Genistein is a plant isoflavonoid bearing potent tumor growth-regulating characteristics. This effect of genistein has been attributed partially to its tyrosine kinase-regulating properties, resulting in cell-cycle arrest and limited angiogenesis. Genistein has been used in chemotherapy-resistant cases of advanced leukemia with promising results. Here we demonstrate that genistein primarily affects nucleic acid synthesis and glucose oxidation in tumor cells using the [1,2-(13)C2]glucose isotope as the single tracer and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to follow various intracellular glucose metabolites. The ribose fraction of RNA demonstrated a rapid 4.6%, 16.4%, and 46.3% decrease in isotope uptake through the nonoxidative branch of the pentose cycle and a sharp 4.8%. 24.6%, and 48% decrease in 13CO2 release from glucose after 2, 20, and 200 micromol/L genistein treatment, respectively. Fatty acid synthesis and the 13C enrichment of acetyl units were not significantly affected by genistein treatment. De novo glycogen synthesis from media glucose was not detected in cultured MIA cells. It can be concluded from these studies that genistein controls tumor growth primarily through the regulation of glucose metabolism, specifically targeting glucose carbon incorporation into nucleic acid ribose through the nonoxidative steps of the pentose cycle, which represents a new paradigm for the antiproliferative action of a plant phytochemical.

Loss of regulation of lipogenesis in the Zucker diabetic (ZDF) rat

We present here a study on the role of leptin in the regulation of lipogenesis by examining the effect of dietary macronutrient composition on lipogenesis in the leptin receptor-defective Zucker diabetic fatty rat (ZDF) and its lean litter mate (ZL). Animals were pair fed two isocaloric diets differing in their fat-to-carbohydrate ratio providing 10 and 30% energy as fat. Lipogenesis was measured in the rats using deuterated water and isotopomer analysis. From the deuterium incorporation into plasma palmitate, stearate, and oleate, we determined de novo synthesis of palmitate and synthesis of stearate by chain elongation and of oleate by desaturation. Because the macronutrient composition and the caloric density were controlled, changes in de novo lipogenesis under these dietary conditions represent adaptation to changes in the fat-to-carbohydrate ratio of the diet. De novo lipogenesis was normally suppressed in response to the high-fat diet in the ZL rat to maintain a relatively constant amount of lipids transported. The ZDF rat had a higher rate of lipogenesis, which was not suppressed by the high-fat diet. The results suggest an important hormonal role of leptin in the feedback regulation of lipogenesis.

Population thiamine status and varying cancer rates between western, Asian and African countries

The role of food supplements in the form of vitamins has not been extensively investigated in relation to varying cancer rates between populations of different geographical regions. New data indicate that thiamine (vitamin B1), a common food supplement in Western food products, is directly involved in nucleic acid ribose synthesis of tumor cells in its biologically activated form through the non-oxidative transketolase catalyzed pentose cycle reaction. Whether thiamine plays a role in increased cancer rates in the Western World by enhancing tumor cell proliferation, while increased consumption of thiaminase rich food limiting thiamine availability protects against common malignancies in Asia and Africa has not been evaluated. In the Western World, thiamine is a popular vitamin supplement in the form of tablets and it is also added to basic food items such as milled flour, cereals, peanut butter, refreshment drinks and pastas. On the contrary, thiaminase, the natural thiamine-degrading enzyme, is abundantly present in raw and fermented fish, certain vegetables and roasted insects consumed primarily in Africa and Asia. Excess thiamine supplementation in common food products may contribute to the increased cancer rates of the Western World.

Transforming growth factor beta2 promotes glucose carbon incorporation into nucleic acid ribose through the nonoxidative pentose cycle in lung epithelial carcinoma cells

The invasive transformation of A-459 lung epithelial carcinoma cells has been linked to the autocrine regulation of malignant phenotypic changes by transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). Here we demonstrate, using stable 13C glucose isotopes, that the transformed phenotype is characterized by decreased CO2 production via direct glucose oxidation but increased nucleic acid ribose synthesis through the nonoxidative reactions of the pentose cycle. Increased nucleic acid synthesis through the nonoxidative pentose cycle imparts the metabolic adaptation of nontransformed cells to the invasive phenotype that potentially explains the fundamental metabolic disturbance in tumor cells: highly increased nucleic acid synthesis despite hypoxia and decreased glucose oxidation.

Oxythiamine and dehydroepiandrosterone induce a G1 phase cycle arrest in Ehrlich's tumor cells through inhibition of the pentose cycle

Transketolase (TK) reactions play a crucial role in tumor cell nucleic acid ribose synthesis utilizing glucose carbons, yet, current cancer treatments do not target this central pathway. Experimentally, a dramatic decrease in tumor cell proliferation after the administration of the TK inhibitor oxythiamine (OT) was observed in several in vitro and in vivo tumor models. Here, we demonstrate that pentose cycle (PC) inhibitors, OT and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), efficiently regulate the cell cycle and tumor proliferation processes. Increasing doses of OT or DHEA were administered by daily intraperitoneal injections to Ehrlich's ascites tumor hosting mice for 4 days. The tumor cell number and their cycle phase distribution profile were determined by DNA flow histograms. Tumors showed a dose dependent increase in their G0-G1 cell populations after both OT and DHEA treatment and a simultaneous decrease in cells advancing to the S and G2-M cell cycle phases. This effect of PC inhibitors was significant, OT was more effective than DHEA, both drugs acted synergistically in combination and no signs of direct cell or host toxicity were observed. Direct inhibition of PC reactions causes a G1 cell cycle arrest similar to that of 2-deoxyglucose treatment. However, no interference with cell energy production and cell toxicity is observed. PC inhibitors, specifically ones targeting TK, introduce a new target site for the development of future cancer therapies to inhibit glucose utilizing pathways selectively for nucleic acid production.

Gastrointestinal hormones as potential adjuvant treatment of exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma

CONCLUSION

Gastrointestinal hormones and their antagonists can alter the growth of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in vitro and in vivo. The potential clinical benefit of this approach deserves further study.

BACKGROUND

Epithelial cell growth is normally under hormonal control. Hormones also affect the growth of many epithelial cancers, and this fact is used to modify tumor growth. Pancreatic epithelial cell growth is under the influence of gastrointestinal hormones. This article reviews experiments designed to determine the effect of gastrointestinal hormones on the growth of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Eighty-eight articles were identified from a Medline search using the terms pancreatic adenocarcinoma and the individual names of gastrointestinal hormones. The experimental design and results of these studies are reviewed.

RESULTS

In general, somatostatin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, pancreatic polypeptide, and pancreastatin inhibit pancreatic adenocarcinoma growth. Cholecystokinin, secretin, bombesin, gastrin, EGF, TGF-alpha, insulin, and IGF-1 have a growth-promoting effect.

Oral dehydroepiandrosterone inhibits the growth of human pancreatic cancer in nude mice

BACKGROUND

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), an androgen precursor, inhibits the induction of pancreatic cancer in some animal models. Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that the sulfated form of DHEA (DHAS), when administered by intraperitoneal injection, inhibits the growth of pancreatic cancer xenografts in nude mice. In the present study, we hypothesize that DHEA-mediated pancreatic cancer growth inhibition is associated with alterations in plasma sex hormone concentrations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty male, nude, athymic mice were fed either Teklad 22/5 rodent diet or diet supplemented with 0.6% DHEA ad libitum. Four weeks following the institution of the experimental diets, 1 x 10(6) MiaPaCa-2 cells were injected into the right flank of each animal. Tumor area was recorded weekly and tumor weights were measured after 5 weeks. Plasma DHAS, testosterone, and progesterone concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

Plasma DHAS, testosterone, and progesterone concentrations were all significantly elevated in the DHEA-treated group. DHEA-treated mouse plasma DHAS concentrations were approximately 50-fold higher than controls. Mean tumor weight was significantly reduced in the DHEA group (68.9 +/- 39.1 vs 121.0 +/- 64.3). DHEA treatment did not result in significant animal weight reductions and toxic side effects were not observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary supplementation with 0.6% DHEA causes significant elevations in plasma DHAS concentration. DHEA administration significantly inhibits pancreatic cancer cell growth at plasma concentrations 1 x 10(5)-fold lower than previously reported. The mechanism of action may involve elevated concentrations of sex hormones.

Inhibition of the oxidative and nonoxidative pentose phosphate pathways by somatostatin: a possible mechanism of antitumor action

Long-acting somatostatin analogs have recently become supplemental drugs in the treatment of neurofibroma because of their marked tumor growth inhibitory effect. Somatostatin is currently under extended evaluation in other cancers as a possible supplemental drug to the treatment protocols in use. The mode of action is not known. Somatostatin has been shown to cause glucose intolerance by inhibiting glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in fish liver. Recent data generated in our laboratory indicate that it is this pathway and the transketolase reactions of the pentose cycle (PC) which are directly involved in the ribose synthesis process of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. In cell culture, somatostatin alone inhibited glucose carbon recycling through the PC by 5.7%, which was increased to 19.8% in combination with oxythiamine, a competitive inhibitor of transketolase. Oxythiamine produced strong apoptosis in in-vitro hosted tumor cells. We hypothesize that somatostatin- and oxythiamine-induced antiproliferative action is mediated by the inhibition of G6PD, transketolase, or both.

Mass isotopomer study of the nonoxidative pathways of the pentose cycle with [1,2-13C2]glucose

We present a single-tracer method for the study of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) using [1,2-13C2]glucose and mass isotopomer analysis. The metabolism of [1,2-13C2]glucose by the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, transketolase (TK), and transaldolase (TA) reactions results in unique pentose and lactate isotopomers with either one or two 13C substitutions. The distribution of these isotopomers was used to estimate parameters of the PPP using the model of Katz and Rognstad (J. Katz and R. Rognstad. Biochemistry 6: 2227-2247, 1967). Mass and position isotopomers of ribose, and lactate and palmitate (products from triose phosphate) from human hepatoma cells (Hep G2) incubated with 30% enriched [1,2-13C2]glucose were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. After 24-72 h incubation, 1.9% of lactate molecules in the medium contained one 13C substitution (m1) and 10% contained two 13C substitutions (m2). A similar m1-to-m2 ratio was found in palmitate as expected. Pentose cycle (PC) activity determined from incubation with [1,2-13C2]glucose was 5.73 +/- 0.52% of the glucose flux, which was identical to the value of PC (5.55 +/- 0.73%) determined by separate incubations with [1-13C] and [6-13C]glucose, 13C was found to be distributed in four ribose isotopomers ([1-13C]-, [5-13C]-, [1,2-13C2]-, and [4,5-13C2]ribose). The observed ribose isotopomer distribution was best matched with that provided from simulation by substituting 0.032 for TK and 0.85 for TA activity relative to glucose uptake into the model of Katz and Rognstad. The use of [1,2-13C2]glucose not only permits the determination of PC but also allows estimation of relative rates through the TK and TA reactions.

Variable effect of streptozotocin-diabetes on the growth of hamster pancreatic cancer (H2T) in the Syrian hamster and nude mouse

BACKGROUND

Streptozotocin-diabetes prevents induction of pancreatic tumors in several animal models and inhibits the growth of established human pancreatic cancer implants in nude mice. However, it also promotes growth of the hamster pancreatic cancer cell line, H2T, in the Syrian hamster. To test the hypothesis that these contradictory effects are due to tumor host differences, the growth of the H2T cell line was examined in the streptozotocin-diabetic nude mouse.

METHODS

H2T cells were implanted subcutaneously into streptozotocin-diabetic nude mice (n = 10) and untreated control mice (n = 10). After 21 days, tumors were excised and weighed. Plasma insulin and somatostatin were determined by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

After 3 weeks, tumors in the control group weighed 118 mg and tumors in the diabetic group weighed 28 mg (p < 0.001). Plasma insulin was significantly decreased in the streptozotocin-treated animals compared with control animals (insulin, 23 microU/ml vs 31 microU/ml; p < 0.001). In contrast, somatostatin was significantly elevated in the streptozotocin-diabetic group compared with the control group (somatostatin, 179 pg/ml versus 54 pg/ml, p < 0.001). Competitive binding studies revealed specific cell surface receptors for insulin (Kd, 15.5 nmol/L), and somatostatin (Kd, 2.5 nmol/L) on the H2T cells. In an in vitro cell proliferation assay, cell division was promoted by insulin (p < 0.01, maximum +11%) and inhibited by somatostatin (p < 0.01, maximum -18%).

CONCLUSIONS

The variable effect of streptozotocin-diabetes on pancreatic cancer growth is due to differences in the tumor host. The growth of pancreatic cancer, particularly in streptozotocin-diabetic nude mice, may be influenced by gut peptides in a receptor-dependent fashion.

Thiamine supplementation to cancer patients: a double edged sword

The objectives of this review are to (a) explain the mechanism by which thiamine (vitamin B1) promotes nucleic acid ribose synthesis and tumor cell proliferation via the nonoxidative transketolase (TK) pathway; (b) estimate the thiamine intake of cancer patients and (c) provide background information and to develop guidelines for alternative treatments with antithiamine transketolase inhibitors in the clinical setting. Clinical and experimental data demonstrate increased thiamine utilization of human tumors and its interference with experimental chemotherapy. Analysis of RNA ribose indicates that glucose carbons contribute to over 90% of ribose synthesis in cultured cervix und pancreatic carcinoma cells and that ribose is synthesized primarily through the thiamine dependent TK pathway (> 70%). Antithiamine compounds significantly inhibit nucleic acid synthesis and tumor cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo in several tumor models. The medical literature reveals little information regarding the role of the thiamine dependent TK reaction in tumor cell ribose production which is a central process in de novo nucleic acid synthesis and the salvage pathways for purines. Consequently, current thiamine administration protocols oversupply thiamine by 200% to 20,000% of the recommended dietary allowance, because it is considered harmless and needed by cancer patients. The thiamine dependent TK pathway is the central avenue which supplies ribose phosphate for nucleic acids in tumors and excessive thiamine supplementation maybe responsible for failed therapeutic attempts to terminate cancer cell proliferation. Limited administration of thiamine and concomitant treatment with transketolase inhibitors is a more rational approach to treat cancer.

Nonoxidative pentose phosphate pathways and their direct role in ribose synthesis in tumors: is cancer a disease of cellular glucose metabolism?

Pentose phosphate pathways (PPP) are considered important in tumor proliferation processes because of their role in supplying tumor cells with reduced NADP and carbons for intracellular anabolic processes. Direct involvement of PPP in tumor DNA/RNA synthesis is not considered as significant as in lipid and protein syntheses. Currently, PPP activity in tumor cells is measured by lactate production, which shows a moderate activity: about 4% to 7% compared with glycolysis. Recent data generated in our laboratory indicate that PPP are directly involved in ribose synthesis in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells, through oxidative steps (< 31%) and transketolase reactions (69%). These findings raise serious questions about the adequacy of lactate in measuring PPP activity in tumors. We hypothesize that ribose, not lactate, is the major product of PPP in tumor cells. Control of both oxidative and nonoxidative PPP may be critical in the treatment of cancer. PPP are substantially involved in the proliferation of human tumors, which raises the prospect of new treatment strategies targeting specific biochemical reactions of PPP by hormones related to glucose metabolism, controlling thiamine intake, the cofactor of the nonoxidative transketolase PPP reaction, or treating cancer patients with antithiamine analogues.

Oxythiamine and dehydroepiandrosterone inhibit the nonoxidative synthesis of ribose and tumor cell proliferation

This study investigates the significance of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) catalyzed oxidative and the transketolase (TK) catalyzed nonoxidative pentose cycle (PC) reactions in the tumor proliferation process by characterizing tumor growth patterns and synthesis of the RNA ribose moiety in the presence of respective inhibitors of G6PD and TK. Mass spectra analysis of 13C-labeled carbons revealed that these PC reactions contribute to over 85% of de novo ribose synthesis in RNA from [1,2-(13)C]glucose in cultured Mia pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells, with the fraction synthesized through the TK pathway predominating (85%). Five days of treatment with the TK inhibitor oxythiamine (OT) and the G6PD inhibitor dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (0.5 microM each) exerted a 39 and a 23% maximum inhibitory effect on cell proliferation in culture, which was increased to 60% when the two drugs were administered in combination. In vivo testing of 400 mg/kg OT or dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate in C57BL/6 mice hosting Ehrlich's ascitic tumor cells revealed a 90.4 and a 46% decrease in the final tumor mass after 3 days of treatment. RNA ribose fractional synthesis through the TK reaction using metabolites directly from glycolysis declined by 9.1 and 23.9% after OT or the combined treatment, respectively. Nonoxidative PC reactions play a central regulating role in the carbon-recruiting process toward de novo nucleic acid ribose synthesis and cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, enzymes or substrates regulating the nonoxidative synthesis of ribose could also be the sites to preferentially target tumor cell proliferation by new anticancer drugs.

Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate inhibits pancreatic carcinoma cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND

Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) is a potent inhibitor of glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase, the rate limiting enzyme of the hexose monophosphate shunt, a biochemical pathway that provides substrate for DNA synthesis in neoplastic tissue. DHEA-S has been shown to inhibit the growth of neoplasms arriving from human skin, lung, colon, and mammary tissue. This study evaluates the effect of DHEA-S on human pancreatic cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

In vitro, the human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines MiaPaCa-2, Capan-1, Capan-2, CAV and Panc-1 were treated with concentrations of 1.9 mumol/L to 1000 mumol/L DHEA-S in 1% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) for 5 consecutive days. Cell proliferation was determined by a nonradioactive cell proliferation assay and compared with DMSO treated controls. In vivo testing was performed by inoculating two cell lines, MiaPaCa-2 and Panc-I, into the flank of 40 male nude athymic mice in four study groups. After 1 week of growth, 667 mg/kg DHEA-S in 1% DMSO or 0.2 ml 1% DMSO alone in the control group was administered by daily intraperitoneal injection. Body weight and tumor size was recorded weekly, and tumor weight was measured after 3 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

In vitro cell proliferation was decreased in the five cell lines by 36% to 62% of controls (p < 0.001) at 500 mumol/L DHEA-S. In vivo, after 2 weeks, tumor size was only 76% (p < 0.008) and 67% (p < 0.005) of the controls. After 3 weeks of treatment, tumor size was 73% (p < 0.001) and 53% (p < 0.001) of controls, and tumor weight was decreased by 73% in MiaPaCa-2 (p < 0.001) and 66% in Panc-1 (p < 0.001). Radioimmunoassay measurements of DHEA-S and testosterone from DHEA-S treated mouse plasma showed a significant increase in circulating levels of these hormones.

CONCLUSIONS

DHEA-S achieves high serum levels after intraperitoneal injection without elevation of serum testosterone levels and produces no significant toxicity. Treatment with DHEA-S results in a significant reduction of proliferation of human pancreatic cancer cells in culture and when grown as subcutaneous tumors in athymic nude mice.

Insulin promotes pancreatic cancer: evidence for endocrine influence on exocrine pancreatic tumors

Type-II diabetes is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. In addition, diabetic patients present with more advanced tumors and have shortened survival compared to stage-matched counterparts. We hypothesize that the diabetic endocrine milieu, particularly elevated plasma insulin, favors pancreatic cancer growth. This study examines six human pancreatic cancer cell lines for the presence of insulin receptors and the influence of insulin on tumor proliferation. Classical competitive binding assays are performed using [125I insulin. Cell proliferation assays are conducted over 3 days on cultured cell lines (n = 6 replicates) with increasing concentrations of insulin. Insulin receptors are demonstrated on all six cell lines and dose dependent increases in cell proliferation (15-120% of control) are demonstrated in response to insulin. Patients with type-II diabetes hypersecrete insulin. The presence of high-affinity insulin receptors and dose dependent increases in pancreatic cancer cell proliferation with insulin supports the hypothesis that insulin may be an important tumor growth promoter in diabetes, particularly if paracrine mechanisms are involved. Additional study is required to determine whether other islet peptides altered in diabetes influence tumor growth and whether elevated plasma insulin favors pancreatic cancer induction.

Characterization of a murine model of acute lung injury (ALI): a prominent role for interleukin-1

This report describes a model developed to study local and systemic events that occur as a result of acute lung injury (ALI). C57BL/6J mice were injected with a single intravenous dose (2, 4, and 6 micrograms) of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). At 1, 2, 4, 12, 24, and 48 h, after injection, plasma was collected by sinus orbital puncture, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed and cells and fluid were collected, lungs were perfused, and pulmonary tissue was isolated and processed for histological, immunochemical, and gene expression studies. The results indicate a dose-dependent increase in animal distress and a decrease in survival. TPA induced an early systemic response, reflected as an initial decrease in numbers of peripheral blood neutrophils at 1 h, followed at 2 h by a sustained increase. There was dose- and time-dependent increase in IL-1 beta mRNA synthesis, detected using RT-PCR, and in immunoreactive IL-1 alpha produced by both tissue-fixed pulmonary cells and cells within alveolar spaces. Infiltration of neutrophils into pulmonary tissue and increased protein content in BAL fluid was detected 2 h after injection of TPA. Disruptions in pulmonary architecture accompanied by the presence of highly vacuolated macrophages within the alveolar spaces and interstitial tissue were evident after IV injection of TPA. The study shows that injection of TPA induces reproducible dose- and time-dependent alterations in cell types, numbers, state of activation, and production of soluble mediators in the peripheral circulation within BAL and pulmonary tissue. Thus, this model offers a means to examine the cellular basis for the local and systemic alterations observed during ALI.

Interleukin-1alpha gene expression during wound healing

Interleukin-1alpha is known to be constitutively produced by epidermal keratinocytes under normal conditions, and injection of this cytokine enhances wound reepithelialization. However, no studies have characterized the temporal sequence of interleukin-1alpha gene expression over the time course of wound healing, and the cellular sources of this cytokine have not been identified. In the present studies, levels of interleukin-1alpha messenger RNA in wound tissue isolated from SKH-1 hairless mice were characterized and the cells that produced interleukin-1alpha immunoreactive protein over a 10-day time course of wound healing were defined. A time-dependent upregulation in interleukin-1alpha gene expression occurred immediately (4 hours) after a full-thickness wound was made, which represented a four-fold increase over levels of cytokine gene expression detected in nonwounded skin. Upregulation of cytokine gene expression correlated with an immediate increase in plasma interleukin-1alpha levels and was followed by an increase in interleukin-1alpha immunoreactive protein localized to keratinocytes within the leading edge of the wound and epidermis, as well as to neutrophils within the dermis. The rapid increase in local and systemic interleukin-1alpha levels correlated with the infiltration of a significant number of neutrophils into the wound site and with the proliferation of both basal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts. Given the known ability of interleukin-1alpha to regulate proliferation and migration of epidermal keratinocytes and to indirectly induce leukocyte chemotaxis, the results of the present studies suggest that interleukin-1alpha may be an important cytokine with both local and systemic actions that are linked to the initiation of critical cellular events early in wound healing.

Reversal of enhanced pancreatic cancer growth in diabetes by insulin

BACKGROUND

Epidemiologic and animal studies have linked pancreatic cancer growth with both diabetes and fat intake. This study examined the influence of insulin treatment on pancreatic cancer growth in diabetes. Diabetes-induced elevations in levels of glucose and free fatty acids were correlated with enhanced tumor growth both in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

Hamsters were divided into three groups: control (n = 15), streptozocin-diabetic (n = 20), or insulin-treated diabetic (n = 20). Diabetes was induced with streptozocin and treated with a continuous subcutaneous infusion of insulin delivered via osmotic pumps. Five x 10(5) H2T hamster pancreatic cancer cells were implanted into the cheek pouch. Levels of plasma glucose and fatty acids were measured, and their effect on H2T cell division was assessed in vitro with a spectrophotometric cell proliferation assay.

RESULTS

Levels of plasma glucose and fatty acids were elevated in streptozocin-diabetic animals and normalized with insulin treatment. After 21 days of growth, tumor weight was 36 mg in the control group, 156 mg in the diabetic group (p < 0.01 versus other groups), and 33 mg in the insulin-treated diabetic group. In vitro dose-dependent promotion of cell growth was shown for glucose (250%), linoleic acid (287%), linolenic acid (169%), and oleic acid (98%).

CONCLUSIONS

Insulin ameliorated enhanced tumor growth in this model of diabetes. Glucose and free fatty acids mobilized during diabetes may serve as fuel for established pancreatic cancers.

GI hormonal changes in diabetes influence pancreatic cancer growth

Streptozotocin diabetes prevents induction of pancreatic tumors in several animal models, suggesting a pivotal role for islet cell products in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer. To test the hypothesis that altered gastrointestinal peptide levels in streptozotocin diabetes influence tumor growth, human pancreatic cancer cells (MIA PaCa-2) were implanted subcutaneously into streptozotocin diabetic nude mice. After 3 weeks, tumors in the control group weighed 43 mg and tumors in the diabetic group weighed 12 mg (P < 0.001). Plasma insulin and IGF-1 levels were significantly decreased in the streptozotocin-treated animals compared to those of control (insulin: 23 microU/ml vs 31 microU/ml, P < 0.001; IGF-1: 254 ng/ml vs 324 ng/ml, P < 0.001). In contrast, somatostatin and glucagon were significantly elevated in the streptozotocin diabetic group relative to control levels (somatostatin: 179 pg/ml vs 54 pg/ml, P < 0.001; glucagon: 290 pg/ml vs 134 pg/ml, P < 0.001). Competitive binding studies revealed specific cell surface receptors for insulin (Kd = 15.5 nM), IGF-1 (Kd = 30.0 nM), and somatostatin (Kd = 2.5 nM) on the MIA PaCa-2 cells. Receptors for glucagon were absent. In an in vitro cell proliferation assay, cell division was promoted by insulin (P < 0.01, max + 11%) and IGF-1 (P < 0.01, max + 10%). Somatostatin inhibited cell division (P < 0.01, max - 18%). No effect was seen with glucagon. The growth of pancreatic cancer, particularly in diabetes, may be influenced by gut peptides in a receptor-dependent fashion.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor gene expression and function during tumor promotion

Although recent evidence suggests that granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) plays a role in cutaneous inflammation induced by topical exposure of phorbol ester tumor promoters to murine epidermis, there is little information available on the temporal sequence of gene expression of this cytokine over the time course of tumor promotion or about its function in this process. The goal of the present studies was to examine the potential role of GM-CSF in tumor promotion in SENCAR mice. Competitive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) studies demonstrated that a single topical application of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA; 2 micrograms, 10 micrograms) to the dorsal epidermis of SENCAR mouse skin stimulated a dose and time dependent GM-CSF gene expression that was upregulated at 1 h after TPA exposure, peaked at 3 h and declined at 12 h. Although treatment with 7',12'-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) did not stimulate GM-CSF gene expression, GM-CSF gene expression was elevated in epidermal tissue isolated from SENCAR mice treated with a single application of 10 nmol DMBA followed by multiple applications of 2 micrograms TPA over a 1-22 week time course. Immunochemical and autoradiographic studies demonstrated that GM-CSF protein was produced by suprabasal keratinocytes, interfollicular cells, nonproliferating papilloma cells and leukocytes within the dermis. Intraperitoneal injection of recombinant (r) GM-CSF into SENCAR mice at 2 h prior to topical application of 10 micrograms TPA induced a significant increase in epidermal keratinocyte proliferation, leukocyte infiltration into the dermis, hydroperoxide production by circulating neutrophils and chemotactic activity present within the plasma at 24 h compared to treatment with only 10 micrograms TPA. Intravenous injection of anti-GM-CSF antibodies significantly inhibited both local and systemic inflammatory events induced by topical application of TPA. The present studies suggest that GM-CSF has a broad spectrum of activity with at least two target cell populations, epidermal keratinocytes within the proliferative compartment and leukocytes. This cytokine is actively transcribed during the tumor promotion process, acts as a signal peptide that stimulates epidermal proliferation, primes circulating neutrophils to produce hydroperoxide and regulates leukocyte migration.

An automatized computer-method utilizing Procomm Plus and DataEase (4.2) PC and SAS (6.06) mainframe software for isolated, perfused guinea-pig heart studies

A powerful, time sharing and automatized method of a comprehensive data analysis for isolated, perfused guinea-pig heart studies is described. Data are collected using DataEase PC software (version 4.2) into forms with data fields specified for vital parameters consistently recorded in isolated, perfused heart studies (HR, CBF, PEAKPRESSURE, DPDT, MVO2). After running, DataEase reports the data and information is uploaded to an IBM 3081D mainframe computer on each day of heart experiment and data collection. The uploading process, the data archival and the statistical analyses are automatized by Procomm Plus commands written in Aspect Source Program (.ASP) Files for logging, data transforming and file management procedures. The ASPCOMP.EXE compiler compiles these .ASP files into Aspect Script eXecutable (.ASX) programs, which run on the PC in our laboratory and activate WYLBUR (IBM 3081D Batch-job service and Command file processor) edited files in the mainframe's electronic devices then upload, backup and save data into these files. SAS EXE files containing program instructions for the data analyzing system are then forced by Procomm Plus to operate over the data just uploaded. SAS reads the DATA files by its INFILE facility and performs comprehensive statistical analyses and produces hard output including graphics and JOB reports of dose-response- and logaritmic scale curves for delivery to team members. This computerized and automatized method developed for isolated, perfused guinea-pig heart studies is capable of performing multiple file transfer, sophisticated statistical analyses and graphic procedures after one keystroke on the PC (Alt-F5 in Procomm Plus section) and also facilitates a consistent and convenient method for planning, controlling and standardizing experiments. The method is based on an interactive computer conversation between the PC in the laboratory and the remote's WYLBUR editor. No human presence is needed; however, in case of failure, Procomm Plus gives one of the team members supervising the system a phone call in order to get human help.

Interleukin-1 alpha gene expression and localization of interleukin-1 alpha protein during tumor promotion

Treatment of the dorsal epidermis of SENCAR mice with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced a time- and dose-dependent stimulation of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) gene expression. Levels of IL-1 alpha mRNA were elevated as early as 15 min and peaked at 3-4 h after a single application of TPA (2 micrograms or 10 micrograms). IL-1 alpha gene expression increased in epidermal tissue isolated from SENCAR mice at 1, 3, 6, 10, 16, and 22 wk after a single treatment with 10 nmol 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and subsequent twice-weekly application of 2 micrograms TPA. IL-1 alpha-immunoreactive protein was specifically localized within suprabasal keratinocytes in cutaneous tissue isolated from mice treated with DMBA-TPA for 1-22 wk and in nonproliferating cells located within papilloma tissue isolated from SENCAR mice at 22 wk after initiation and promotion. Basal cells within hyperplastic epidermis did not produce IL-1 alpha-immunoreactive protein. DMBA treatment alone did not induce IL-1 alpha gene expression. Injection of IL-1 alpha-specific antibodies (50 micrograms) into SENCAR mice via the tail vein 2 h before treatment with TPA (2 micrograms or 10 micrograms) significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited the skin thickening usually observed 24 h after treatment with TPA. Autoradiography studies showed that injection of anti-IL-1 alpha antibodies inhibited incorporation of [methyl-3H]thymidine by keratinocytes within the epidermis and by cells within hair follicles. It also inhibited neutrophil infiltration into the dermis, which usually results from topical application of TPA. These data suggest that IL-1 alpha is a pivotal cytokine produced by specific subpopulations of epidermal keratinocytes and that IL-1 alpha primarily regulates the epidermal proliferative response of a distinctly separate population of keratinocytes after topical exposure of murine epidermis to TPA and secondarily modulates neutrophil migration into the dermis. Consequently, manipulation of IL-1 alpha may be a way to attenuate or abrogate the cutaneous response to TPA by altering keratinocyte proliferation, the resultant hyperplasia, and a portion of the inflammatory response characterized by dermal infiltration of neutrophils.