Imir NG, Aydemir E, Şimşek E. Mechanism of the anti-angiogenic effect of Avemar on tumor cells.
Oncol Lett 2017;
15:2673-2678. [PMID:
29434991 DOI:
10.3892/ol.2017.7604]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Avemar, a derivative of fermented wheat germ extract, is a non-toxic and natural compound that is used as a dietary supplement by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Avemar has numerous biological activities, and several recent studies have reported that it may also have metastatic and anti-angiogenic effects. In the present study, the mechanism of the anti-angiogenic effect of Avemar on human cancer cells was investigated. The human cell lines NCI-N87 (gastric tubular adenocarcinoma), PC3 (prostate carcinoma), HeLa (endocervical adenocarcinoma) and A549 (lung adenocarcinoma) were treated with various doses (400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200 µg/ml) of Avemar, and the changes in mRNA and protein levels of two important markers of angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), were assessed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and ELISA. VEGF and Cox-2 protein and mRNA levels were significantly lower in Avemar-treated cells than in untreated cells. The data suggest that Avemar may exert an anti-angiogenic effect on cancer cells. Thus, it is suggested to medical doctors as a potential agent for the anti-angiogenic treatment of cancer.
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