DHA induces apoptosis by altering the expression and cellular location of GRP78 in colon cancer cell lines.

n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids exert growth-inhibitory and pro-apoptotic effects in colon cancer cells. We hypothesized that the anti-apoptotic glucose related protein of 78kDa (GRP78), originally described as a component of the unfolded protein response in endoplasmic reticulum (ER), could be a molecular target for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in these cells. GRP78 total and surface overexpression was previously associated with a poor prognosis in several cancers, whereas its down-regulation with decreased cancer growth in animal models. DHA treatment induced apoptosis in three colon cancer cell lines (HT-29, HCT116 and SW480), and inhibited their total and surface GRP78 expression. The cell ability to undergo DHA-induced apoptosis was inversely related to their level of GRP78 expression. The transfection of the low GRP78-expressing SW480 cells with GRP78-GFP cDNA significantly induced cell growth and inhibited the DHA-driven apoptosis, thus supporting the essential role of GRP78 in DHA pro-apoptotic effect. We suggest that pERK1/2 could be the first upstream target for DHA, and demonstrate that, downstream of GRP78, DHA may exert its proapoptotic role by augmenting the expression of the ER resident factors ERdj5 and inhibiting the phosphorylation of PKR-like ER kinase (PERK), known to be both physically associated with GRP78, and by activating caspase-4. Overall, the regulation of cellular GRP78 expression and location is suggested as a possible route through which DHA can exert pro-apoptotic and antitumoral effects in colon cancer cells.

DHA induces apoptosis and differentiation in human melanoma cells in vitro: involvement of HuR-mediated COX-2 mRNA stabilization and ß-catenin nuclear translocation.

The pro-inflammatory phenotype accompanying melanoma progression includes an enhanced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which plays an important role in the acquisition of apoptosis resistance, and is a suitable target for melanoma prevention and therapy. We observed that the WM266-4 metastatic melanoma cell line showed a constitutive COX-2 expression higher than that of the primary WM115 cells, an increased cytosolic level of the COX-2 messenger RNA (mRNA)-stabilizer human antigen R (HuR) and a lower susceptibility to basal apoptosis. The transfection of HuR siRNA induced apoptosis and reduced COX-2 protein abundance in both the cells. The same effects were observed treating the cells with the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which reduced the cytoplasmic location and expression of HuR and, correspondently, decreased COX-2 protein expression and induced apoptosis. DHA also decreased the expression and stability of COX-2 mRNA, increased the ß-catenin expression in the nuclei and reduced it in the cytosol, where it forms a complex with HuR and COX-2 mRNA. DHA had also a pro-differentiating effect, which is compatible with the nuclear translocation of ß-catenin. These findings allow us to associate for the first time the constitutive expression of COX-2 in melanoma cells to the HuR-mediated stabilization of its mRNA and suggest that also ß-catenin may play a role in HuR-mediated COX-2 stabilization in these cells. The data demonstrate that the HuR-mediated stabilization of COX-2 may represent a target of DHA action in melanoma cells and suggest the application of DHA in the prevention and therapy of melanoma.

Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the paradox of their health benefits and potential harmful effects.

There is some evidence to support the toxicity of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and their oxidative products, suggesting their involvement in the pathogenesis of different chronic diseases, including cancer. It has been shown that products of PUFA oxidation may exert a carcinogenic action by forming mutagenic adducts with DNA. However, a large amount of evidence accumulated over several decades has indicated the beneficial effects of administration of n-3 PUFAs in the prevention and therapy of a series of diseases. In particular, there is much evidence that n-3 PUFAs exert anti-inflammatory and antineoplastic effects, whereas n-6 PUFAs promote inflammation and carcinogenesis. In our tissues, both of the two classes of PUFAs can be converted into bioactive products, incorporated into membrane phospholipids or bound to membrane receptors, where they may alter, often in opposite ways, transduction pathways and affect important biological processes, such as cell death and survival, inflammation, and neo-angiogenesis. In the present review, we intend to shed light on the paradox of the coexisting healthy and toxic effects of n-3 PUFAs, focusing on their possible pro-oxidant cytotoxic and carcinogenic effect, in order to understand if their increased intake, recommended by a number of health agencies worldwide and promoted by nutraceutical producers, may or may not represent a hazard to human health.

Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids as inducers of apoptosis: implications for cancer.

It has recently become clear the role played by alterations in apoptosis during the development of several chronic diseases (i.e. inflammatory, neurodegenerative and neoplastic pathologies). For this reason, the research for possible therapeutic strategies involving the modulation of the apoptotic pathways has attracted considerable interest in the past few years. In particular, it has been shown that apoptosis may be induced or inhibited by a variety of nutritional compounds providing health benefits. The aim of this review is to examine the ability of different dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to induce apoptosis, especially in the cancer field. The molecular effects of different PUFAs found in dairy products, meat, fish, vegetable seeds and oils, and known to affect the incidence and progression of cancer and other chronic diseases, will be analyzed. To this aim, our effort will concentrate in critically reviewing the published works concerning the effects of: (a) the n-6 PUFAs gamma-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, and conjugated linoleic acid; (b) the n-3 PUFAs eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on the apoptotic process. We will also pay attention to the recent findings regarding the possible role of PUFAs as regulators of the endoplasmic reticulum stress-pathway of apoptosis.

Docosahexaenoic acid induces apoptosis in lung cancer cells by increasing MKP-1 and down-regulating p-ERK1/2 and p-p38 expression.

Different agents able to modulate apoptosis have been shown to modify the expression of the MAP-kinase-phosphatase-1 (MKP-1). The expression of this phosphatase has been considered a potential positive prognostic factor in lung cancer, and smoke was shown to reduce the levels of MKP-1 in ferret lung. Our aim was to assess whether the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), known to inhibit the growth of several cancer cells mainly inducing apoptosis, may exert pro-apoptotic effect in lung cancer cells by modifying MKP-1 expression. We observed that DHA increased MKP-1 protein and mRNA expression and induced apoptosis in different lung cancer cell lines (mink Mv1Lu adenocarcinoma cells, human A549 adenocarcinoma and human BEN squamous carcinoma cells). We inhibited the pro-apoptotic effect of DHA by treating the cells with the phosphatase inhibitor Na(3)VO(4) or by silencing the MKP-1 gene with the specific siRNA. This finding demonstrated that the induction of apoptosis by DHA involved a phosphatase activity, specifically that of MKP-1. DHA reduced also the levels of the phosphorylated MAP-kinases, especially ERK1/2 and p38. Such an effect was not observed when the MKP-1 gene was silenced. Altogether, the data provide evidence that the DHA-induced overexpression of MKP-1 and the resulting decrease of MAP-kinase phosphorylation by DHA may underlie the pro-apoptotic effect of this fatty acid in lung cancer cells. Moreover, they support the hypothesis that DHA may exert chemopreventive action in lung cancer.

Docosahexaenoic acid enhances the susceptibility of human colorectal cancer cells to 5-fluorouracil.

PURPOSE: Powerful growth-inhibitory action has been shown for n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids against colon cancer cells. We have previously described their ability to inhibit proliferation of colon epithelial cells in patients at high risk of colon cancer. In the work reported here we investigated the ability of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to potentiate the antineoplastic activity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in p53-wildtype (LS-174 and Colo 320) and p53-mutant (HT-29 and Colo 205) human colon cancer cells. METHODS: When in combination with DHA, 5-FU was used at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 microM, much lower than those currently found in plasma patients after infusion of this drug. Similarly, the DHA concentrations (< or =10 microM) used in combination with 5-FU were lower than those widely used in vitro and known to cause peroxidative effects in vivo. RESULTS: Whereas the cells showed different sensitivity to the growth-inhibitory action of 5-FU, DHA reduced cell growth independently of p53 cellular status. DHA synergized with 5-FU in reducing colon cancer cell growth. The potentiating effect of DHA was attributable to the enhancement of the proapoptotic effect of 5-FU. DHA markedly increased the inhibitory effect of 5-FU on the expression of the antiapoptotic proteins BCL-2 and BCL-XL, and induced overexpression of c-MYC which has recently been shown to drive apoptosis and, when overexpressed, to sensitize cancer cells to the action of proapoptotic agents, including 5-FU. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that DHA strongly increases the antineoplastic effects of low concentrations of 5-FU. Overall, the results suggest that combinations of low doses of the two compounds could represent a chemotherapeutic approach with low toxicity.

Prooxidant effects of beta-carotene in cultured cells.

There is a growing body of interest on the role of beta-carotene and other carotenoids in human chronic diseases, including cancer. While epidemiological evidence shows that people who ingest more dietary carotenoids exhibit a reduced risk for cancer, results from intervention trials indicate that supplemental beta-carotene enhances lung cancer incidence and mortality among smokers. A possible mechanism which can explain the dual role of beta-carotene as both a beneficial and a harmful agent in cancer as well as in other chronic diseases is its ability in modulating intracellular redox status. beta-Carotene may serve as an antioxidant or as a prooxidant, depending on its intrinsic properties as well as on the redox potential of the biological environment in which it acts. This review summarizes the available evidence for a prooxidant activity of beta-carotene in cultured cells, focusing on biochemical and molecular markers of oxidative stress, which have been reported to be enhanced by the carotenoid.

Design, synthesis, and antioxidant activity of FeAOX-6, a novel agent deriving from a molecular combination of the chromanyl and polyisoprenyl moieties.

Several lines of evidence suggest potential benefits by a combination of carotenoids and tocopherols in chronic diseases. Therefore, we have designed FeAOX-6, a novel antioxidant that combines into a single molecule the chroman head of tocopherols and a fragment of lycopene, consisting of a polyisoprenyl sequence of four conjugated double bonds. The ability of FeAOX-6 in inhibiting lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production induced by different sources of free radicals (t-BOOH, AAPH, and H2O2) in arachidonic acid solution and in isolated thymocytes was investigated. Its antioxidant efficiency was also compared with that of alpha-tocopherol, lycopene, and a mixture of the two antioxidants. The results strongly suggest that FeAOX-6 can act as a potent antioxidant in our models, by inhibiting malondialdehyde production and ROS generation in a dose- and a time-dependent manner. In the cell model, the compound also provides a higher antioxidant capacity than alpha-tocopherol and lycopene, alone or in combination, suggesting the possibility of an oxidative intramolecular cooperation.

EPA and DHA differentially affect in vitro inflammatory cytokine release by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Alzheimer's patients.

It has been hypothesized that pro-inflammatory cytokines may play a pathogenic role in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may be protective against the development and progression of this disease. A reduced release of inflammatory cytokines by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from AD patients dietary supplemented with a mixture of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was recently reported. On this basis, we investigated the possible differential effects of the two purified fatty acids on inflammatory cytokine release, a subject still not explored, even though of great pharmacological interest. We treated in vitro phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)- or LPS-stimulated PBMCs from AD patients and age-matched healthy controls (HCs) with purified EPA or DHA. Higher pro- to anti-inflammatory cytokine ratios, indicative of a pro-inflammatory profile, were observed in PHA-stimulated PBMCs from AD patients in basal conditions. The addition of both EPA and DHA markedly reduced the cytokine release, with DHA showing always a more prominent effect than EPA. However, whereas DHA reduced only the high IL-1ß/IL-10 ratio, EPA was able to reduce also the IL-6/IL-10 ratio. In stimulated PMBCs from HCs the reducing effect on cytokine release was not always observed, or observed at a lower degree. In conclusion, whereas DHA appeared more powerful in inhibiting each single inflammatory cytokine, the proinflammatory profile of the AD patients' cells was better reverted by EPA to a profile more similar to that found in HCs. A combination of both the fatty acids, seems to be still the best solution.

Docosahexaenoic acid reverts resistance to UV-induced apoptosis in human keratinocytes: involvement of COX-2 and HuR.

The dramatic increase in the incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer over the last decades has been related to the augmented exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (UVR). It is known that apoptosis is induced as a protective mechanism after the acute irradiation of keratinocytes, whereas apoptotic resistance and carcinogenesis may follow the chronic exposure to UVR. We found that not all the human keratinocytes lines studied underwent apoptosis following acute exposure to UVR (10-60 mJ/cm(2)). Whereas UVR induced apoptosis in the HaCaT cells, NCTC 2544 and nr-HaCaT cells showed apoptosis resistance. The cytokeratin pattern of the apoptosis-resistant cells indicated that they possessed a degree of differentiation lower than that of HaCaT cells. They also showed an enhanced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an early marker of carcinogenesis in various tissues, including skin. n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have drawn increasing interest as nutritional factors with the potential to reduce UVR carcinogenesis, and since they are apoptosis inducers and COX-2 inhibitors in cancer cells, we investigated the ability of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to influence the resistance to UVR-induced apoptosis in keratinocytes. We observed that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) reverted the resistance of nr-HaCaT cells to UVR-induced apoptosis, increasing the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 activity, and reduced COX-2 levels by inhibiting the expression of the human antigen R (HuR), a known COX-2 mRNA stabilizer in keratinocytes. The transfection of nr-HaCaT cells with HuR siRNA mimicked the proapoptotic effect of DHA. Overall, our findings further support the role of DHA as a suitable anticarcinogenic factor against nonmelanoma skin cancers.

Growth, viability, adhesion potential, and fibronectin expression in fibroblasts cultured on zirconia or feldspatic ceramics in vitro.

Zirconia, a biomaterial widely used in dentistry, has recently attracted much attention for its mechanical strength and toughness. Previously, its lack of mutagenic and carcinogenic power was reported. We describe here other essential aspects to be taken into account to define in vitro the biocompatibility of a material: the growth rate, viability, and adhesion capacity of normal stabilized cells growing on it. To this aim, immortalized RAT-1 fibroblasts, growing either on zirconia and on feldspatic (FE) ceramics were compared. In particular, the level of expression and the intra- and extra-cellular organization of fibronectin, a glycoprotein involved in cellular adhesion and migration during tissue repair, was analyzed. Fibroblasts cultured on zirconia showed a higher growth rate, and underwent necrosis at lower levels than cells on FE ceramic, whereas either materials did not stimulate apoptosis. Adhesion capacity of fibroblasts was evaluated measuring adherent cell nucleic acids with the fluorimetric CyQuant assay, and it was found significantly higher in cells cultured on zirconia than on FE ceramic. This finding may be explained by the higher and more precocious expression of the adhesion protein fibronectin observed by indirect immunofluorescence in fibroblasts on zirconia. Overall, the results suggest that zirconia, exerting low cytotoxicity and strongly inducing adhesion capacity, increases cellular growth rate of fibroblasts. All these features suggest that zirconia could represent a more suitable biomaterial than FE ceramic for prosthesis in dentistry.

Docosahexaenoic acid induces proteasome-dependent degradation of beta-catenin, down-regulation of survivin and apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells not expressing COX-2.

n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids have been shown to powerfully inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells, mainly acting as pro-apoptotic agents through inhibition of cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. Since dysregulation of beta-catenin expression is frequently found at early stage of colorectal carcinogenesis, we analyzed whether docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may modify the expression of beta-catenin in colon cancer cells (SW480 and HCT116) over-expressing this protein, but lacking COX-2. Futhermore, we investigated if alterations in beta-catenin expression may be associated with apoptosis induction. Treatment of cells with increasing concentrations of DHA induced a dose- and time-dependent inhibition of beta-catenin protein expression which, however, was not accompanied by modifications in beta-catenin transcription. Conversely, the proteasomal inhibitors MG132 and lactacystin prevented DHA-induced beta-catenin decrease, suggesting that DHA may regulate the proteasomal degradation of beta-catenin. The reduced levels of beta-catenin were accompanied by decreased translocation of beta-catenin into the nucleus, where it acts as a transcription factor in concert with T-Cell Factor (TCF). DHA, at the same range of concentrations, was also able to induce apoptosis by a caspase-3-dependent mechanism and to cause a dose- and time-dependent decrease of survivin, an apoptosis inhibitor undetectable in normal tissues and expressed in colorectal cancer through TCF-beta-catenin stimulation. Several other proteins regulated by the TCF-beta-catenin pathway and involved in regulation of tumor growth were down-regulated by DHA, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta, membrane type 1 (MT1)-matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), MMP-7 and vascular endothelial growth factor. The present study, thus, raises the possibility that DHA may exert pro-apoptotic and antitumoral effects through proteasomal regulation of beta-catenin levels and alterations in the expression of TCF-beta-catenin target genes.

DNA damage and apoptosis induction by the pesticide Mancozeb in rat cells: involvement of the oxidative mechanism.

The DNA damaging and proapoptotic effects of Mancozeb, a widely used fungicide of the ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate (EBDC) group, were studied in RAT-1 fibroblasts cultured in vitro and in peripheral blood mononucleated cells (PBMC) isolated from Wistar rats. After 1 h exposition to Mancozeb (up to 500 ng/ml), cells produced a dose-dependent induction in DNA single strand break (SSB) formation, measured by single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE). Concomitantly, a concentration-dependent increase in the levels of the oxidative markers of DNA oxidation, the DNA adduct 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were observed, suggesting a prooxidant action of Mancozeb. PBMC were less responsive than fibroblasts to the oxidative insult carried out by Mancozeb, as shown by the lower increase in the levels of ROS, 8-OHdG adducts and SSB measured in these cells after exposure to the pesticide. A 4-h treatment with Mancozeb induced also apoptosis in both PBMC and RAT-1 cells, even though leukocytes were less sensitive than fibroblasts to the proapoptotic action. This effect was dose-dependent and was inhibited by the action of the antioxidant alpha-tocopherol. The proapoptotic effect was accompanied by the altered expression of several proteins involved in the regulation of apoptosis, such as the prosurvival protein BCL-2 and the proapoptotic protein c-MYC. Exposition of cells to higher concentrations of Mancozeb or for longer periods (>4 h) caused post-apoptotic, necrotic alterations in cell membrane integrity. The data herein presented demonstrate the oxidative effect of Mancozeb and suggest that its prooxidant action may be involved in the proapoptotic effect exerted by this compound in rat cells. It appears possible that the observed oxidative and genotoxic damage may be involved in the pathogenesis of various pathologies associated with the chronic exposition to Mancozeb, including cancer. On the other hand, the proapoptotic effect of Mancozeb suggests its possible relevance in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, often related to the exposition of pesticides.

n-3 PUFAs reduce VEGF expression in human colon cancer cells modulating the COX-2/PGE2 induced ERK-1 and -2 and HIF-1alpha induction pathway.

n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) inhibit the development of microvessels in mammary tumors growing in mice. Human colorectal tumors produce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) whose expression is up-regulated in tumor cells by both cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and PGE(2) and directly correlated to neoangiogenesis and clinical outcome. The goal of this study was to examine the capability of n-3 PUFAs to regulate VEGF expression in HT-29 human colorectal cells in vitro and in vivo. Constitutive VEGF expression was augmented in cultured HT-29 cells by serum starvation and the effects of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on VEGF, COX-2, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-1 and -2 and hypoxia-inducible-factor 1-alpha (HIF-1alpha) expression and PGE(2) levels were assessed. Tumor growth, VEGF, COX and PGE(2) analysis were carried out in tumors derived from HT-29 cells transplanted in nude mice fed with either EPA or DHA. Both EPA and DHA reduced VEGF and COX-2 expression and PGE(2) levels in HT-29 cells cultured in vitro. Moreover, they inhibited ERK-1 and -2 phosphorylation and HIF-1alpha protein over-expression, critical steps in the PGE(2)-induced signaling pathway leading to the augmented expression of VEGF in colon cancer cells. EPA always showed higher efficacy than DHA in vitro. Both fatty acids decreased the growth of the tumors obtained by inoculating HT-29 cells in nude mice, microvessel formation and the levels of VEGF, COX-2 and PGE(2) in tumors. The data provide evidence that these n-3 PUFAs are able to inhibit VEGF expression in colon cancer cells and suggest that one possible mechanism involved may be the negative regulation of the COX-2/PGE(2) pathway. Their potential clinical application as anti-angiogenic compounds in colon cancer therapy is proposed.

gamma-Tocopheryl quinone induces apoptosis in cancer cells via caspase-9 activation and cytochrome c release.

Recently, it was suggested the potential role of gamma-tocopheryl quinone (gamma-TQ), an oxidative metabolite of gamma-tocopherol, as a powerful chemotherapeutic agent, since it was shown that this molecule exerts powerful cytotoxic effects, induces apoptosis and escapes drug resistance in human acute lymphoblastic leukemia and promyelocytic leukemia cells. We have studied the apoptogenic potential of gamma-TQ in cultured human leukemia HL-60 and colon adenocarcinoma WiDr cells, and in murine thymoma cells growing in vivo in ascites form. The cells were treated with gamma-TQ and apoptosis was evaluated morphologically by acridine-orange staining and cytofluorimetrically by Annexin V binding assay. gamma-TQ-induced apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner in all the cell types tested, although HL-60 and thymoma cells were much more sensitive than WiDr cells. In HL-60 cells apoptosis was mediated by the activation of the caspase-3 cascade. In particular, we observed a time- and dose-dependent increase in the activities of the upstream caspase-9 and caspase-8 and of the downstream caspase-3. The activation of caspase-9 preceded that of caspase-8 and its specific inhibition completely prevented apoptosis. These findings and data showing the precocious release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, a decrease in Bcl-2, and a change in mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Delta psi(m)), all suggest that the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway is primarily involved in the development of gamma-TQ-induced apoptosis. The late activation of caspase-8 and data showing the partial cleavage of pro-apoptotic protein BID suggest that the initial activation of caspase-9 may be potentiated by a feedback amplification loop involving the caspase-8/BID pathway.

Beta-carotene regulates NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity by a redox mechanism in human leukemia and colon adenocarcinoma cells.

We demonstrated previously that beta-carotene may affect cell growth by a redox mechanism. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the redox-sensitive transcription factor nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB may be involved in the growth-inhibitory and proapoptotic effects of the carotenoid. To test this hypothesis, human leukemic cells (HL-60) and colon adenocarcinoma cells (LS-174 and WiDr) were treated with beta-carotene, alone or in combination with alpha-tocopherol or N-acetylcysteine, and changes in 1) cell oxidative status, 2) cell growth and apoptosis, 3) DNA-binding activity of NF-kappaB and 4) expression of c-myc, a NF-kappaB target gene involved in apoptosis, were evaluated. In HL-60 cells, beta-carotene induced a significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (P < 0.001) and in oxidized glutathione (GSSG) content (P < 0.005) at concentrations >/=10 micro mol/L. These effects were always accompanied by a sustained elevation of NF-kappaB and by a significant inhibition (P < 0.002) of cell growth. NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity increased at 3 h and persisted for at least 48 h. Colon adenocarcinoma cells displayed substantial differences in their sensitivity to beta-carotene, exhibiting increased ROS levels and activation of NF-kappaB at concentrations much lower in LS-174 cells (2.5-5.0 micro mol/L) than in WiDr cells (50-100 micro mol/L). In all cell lines studied, alpha-tocopherol and N-acetylcysteine inhibited the effects of beta-carotene on NF-kappaB, cell growth and apoptosis, and normalized the increased expression of c-myc induced by the carotenoid. These data suggest that the redox regulation of NF-kappaB induced by beta-carotene is involved in the growth-inhibitory and proapoptotic effects of the carotenoid in tumor cells.