Abstract
Diets rich in carotenoids have been strongly implicated as protecting against cancer development at several anatomic sites, however it is unclear whether protection is due to the carotenoid itself or to products of its bioconversion to retinoids. Both Beta-carotene (β-C), a carotenoid with, and canthaxanthin (CTX) a carotenoid without pro-vitamin A activity, have been found to inhibit methylcholanthrene induced neoplastic transformation in l0Tl/2 cells. Activity was observed when these compounds were added 7 days after carcinogen exposure and was reversible upon removal of carotenoid. When tested against X-ray induced transformation, carotenoids were ineffective when present during irradiation but, as before, strongly protected when added after carcinogen exposure. Effective doses were not cytotoxic. In both chemical and physical carcinogensis protocols, CTX was significantly more potent than β-C in inhibiting transformation. Using 14C-β-C no conversion to expected retinoids was detected after incubation with l0Tl/2 cells. Thus carotenoids appear to possess intrinsic cancer chemopreventive activity in 10T1/2 cells.
Supported by grant CA 39947 and a grant in aid from the National Dairy Council
Abbreviations: β-C: Beta-carotene; CTX: canthaxanthin; MCA: 3-methylcholanthrene; ID50: dose for 50% inhibition of transformation; PE: plating efficiency; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; HPLC: high performance liquid chromatography; TF: transformation frequency.
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Bertram, J.S., Rundhaug, J.E., Pung, A. (1990). Carotenoids Inhibit Chemically- and Physically-Induced Neoplastic Transformation during the Post-Initiation Phase of Carcinogenesis. In: Prasad, K.N., Meyskens, F.L. (eds) Nutrients and Cancer Prevention. Experimental Biology and Medicine, vol 23. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-4516-2_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-4516-2_7
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