Increasing fish consumption does not affect genotoxicity markers in the colon in an intervention study.

Observational studies suggest that fish consumption is associated with a decreased colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. A possible mechanism by which fish could reduce CRC risk is by decreasing colonic genotoxicity. However, concerns have also been raised over the levels of toxic compounds found in mainly oil-rich fish, which could increase genotoxicity. Therefore, the objective was to investigate the effects of fish on genotoxicity markers in the colon in a randomized controlled parallel intervention study. For a period of 6 months, subjects were randomly allocated to receive two extra weekly portions of (i) oil-rich fish (salmon), (ii) lean fish (cod) or (iii) just dietary advice (DA). The Comet Assay was used to measure the DNA damage-inducing potential of fecal water (n = 89) and DNA damage in colonocytes (n = 70) collected pre- and post-intervention as markers of genotoxicity. Genotoxicity of fecal water was not markedly changed after fish consumption: 1.0% increase in tail intensity (TI) [95% confidence interval (CI) -5.1; 7.0] in the salmon group and 0.4% increase in TI (95% CI -5.3; 6.1) in the cod group compared with the DA group. DNA damage in colonocytes was also not significantly changed after fish consumption, in either the salmon group (-0.5% TI, 95% CI -6.9; 6.0) or cod group (-3.3% TI, 95% CI -10.8; 4.3) compared with the DA group. Measurements of genotoxicity of fecal water and DNA damage in colonocytes did not correlate (r = 0.06, n = 34). In conclusion, increasing consumption of either oil-rich or lean fish did not affect genotoxicity markers in the colon.

Use of Comet-FISH in the study of DNA damage and repair: review.

The Comet-FISH technique is a useful tool to detect overall and region-specific DNA damage and repair in individual cells. It combines two well-established methods, the Comet assay (single cell gel electrophoresis) and the technique of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Whereas the Comet assay allows separating fragmented from non-fragmented DNA, FISH helps to detect specifically labelled DNA sequences of interest, including whole chromosomes. Thus the combination of both techniques has been applied in particular for detection of site-specific breaks in DNA regions which are relevant for development of different diseases. This paper reviews the relevant literature and presents three examples on how Comet-FISH was used for studying the induction of DNA damage by genotoxic compounds related to oxidative stress in colon cancer-relevant genes (TP53, APC, KRAS) of a colon adenoma cell line. The accumulated evidence on relative sensitivity of these genes in comparison to global damage allows a more definite conclusion on the possible contribution of the genotoxic factors during colorectal carcinogenesis. Telomere fragility was compared in different cell lines treated with cytostatic agents, and revealed new patterns of biological activities through the drugs and different sensitivities of the cell lines that were found to be associated with their tumour origin. A third example relates to measuring repair of specific gene regions using Comet-FISH, a method that can be developed to biomarker application. Taken together, available data suggests that Comet-FISH helps to get further insights into sensitivity of specific DNA regions and consequently in mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Although the nature of the measured Comet-FISH endpoint precludes us from stating basically that damage and repair are occurring within the specific gene, it is at least possible to evaluate whether the damage and repair are occurring within the vicinity of the gene of interest.

Influence of inorganic and organic iron compounds on parameters of cell growth and survival in human colon cells.

Increased risk for development of colon cancer is associated with red meat intake and iron toxicity is discussed for one underlying mechanism. Anyhow, for iron itself only limited evidence is found. In this study, effects of different iron compounds on proliferation of HT29 carcinoma and LT97 adenoma human colon cells were investigated. After treatment of cells with inorganic (ferrous sulfate: FeSO4 and ferric nitrilotriacetate: FeNTA) and organic (hemoglobin and hemin) iron sources (24-72 h), number of cells and metabolic activity were measured. Under normal cell culture conditions, neither iron compound elevated cell growth in either cell line with the exception of FeNTA which induced LT97 cell growth significantly. Distinct inhibition of cell proliferation was measured for organic iron. Serum-free incubation of HT29 cells revealed growth promoting properties of iron under deficiency. Even though organic iron, especially hemin, was a potent growth factor, both substances showed also dose-dependent cytotoxic effects. In conclusion, these data emphasize that not iron itself, but merely organic iron may promote carcinogenic events. Since promotion of proliferation was only detectable under deficiency, cytotoxic properties of organic iron may be of more importance in colon carcinogenesis.

Intervention with cloudy apple juice results in altered biological activities of ileostomy samples collected from individual volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Apple juice is considered to be an important component of the healthy diet, with anticancer activities in colon cancer animal models and key ingredients have numerous chemoprotective activities in human colon cells in vitro. AIM OF THE STUDY: Since only little is known on comparable activities in the human colon in vivo, here a pilot study was performed to assess related mechanisms caused by ileostomy samples from volunteers that had consumed apple juice. METHODS: Ileostomy samples were collected after intervention (0-8 h) with cloudy apple juice (1 l). They were characterized analytically for major apple polyphenols and biologically in HT29 colon cells for their potential to cause genotoxic damage, protect from the genotoxic insult by hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and modulate the expression of GSTT2, an enzyme related to antioxidative defence against different peroxides. RESULTS: The analytical determination of polyphenols in the ileostomy samples revealed that the majority of the compounds were recovered in the samples collected 2 h after intervention. The comparison of genotoxic effects of samples before intervention and 2 h after intervention revealed a considerable variation of genotoxic response, but there was a trend for reduced genotoxicity in three of eight persons (P) after intervention. Samples collected at 2 h protected HT29 cells from genotoxic damage by H(2)O(2) (for 4 of 8 persons), resulted in an increased GSTT2 expression (for 2 of 6 persons) and of GSTT2 promotor activity (2 of 6 persons). CONCLUSIONS: The intervention with apple juice results in bioavailable concentrations of related polyphenols in the gut lumen, which could contribute to reduced genotoxicity, enhanced antigenotoxicity and favorable modulation of GSTT2 gene expression in some individuals. The pilot study for the first time used this combination of faecal biomarkers which in larger cohorts may either reveal overall significant alterations of chemoprotection or may be used to identify individuals which could particularly benefit from a personalized nutrition.

Comet fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis for oxidative stress-induced DNA damage in colon cancer relevant genes.

Our objective was to study whether products of oxidative stress, such as hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), trans-2-hexenal, and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), cause DNA damage in genes, relevant for human colon cancer. For this, total DNA damage was measured in primary human colon cells and colon adenoma cells (LT97) using the single-cell gel electrophoresis assay, known as "Comet Assay." APC, KRAS, and TP53 were marked in the comet images using fluorescence in situ hybridization (Comet FISH). The migration of APC, KRAS, or TP53 signals into the comet tails was quantified and compared to total DNA damage. All three substances were clearly genotoxic for APC, KRAS, and TP53 genes and total DNA in both types of cells. In primary colon cells, TP53 gene was more sensitive toward H(2)O(2), trans-2-hexenal, and HNE than total DNA was. In LT97 cells, the TP53 gene was more sensitive only toward trans-2-hexenal and HNE. APC and KRAS genes were more susceptible than total DNA to both lipid peroxidation products but only in primary colon cells. This suggests genotoxic effects of lipid peroxidation products in APC, KRAS, and TP53 genes. In LT97 cells, TP53 was more susceptible than APC and KRAS toward HNE. Based on the reported gatekeeper properties of TP53, which in colon adenoma is frequently altered to yield carcinoma, this implies that HNE is likely to contribute to cancer progression. This new experimental approach facilitates studies on effects of nutrition-related carcinogens in relevant target genes.

Blood mononucleocytes are sensitive to the DNA damaging effects of iron overload--in vitro and ex vivo results with human and rat cells.

Iron exposure enhances colorectal carcinogeneis, by producing reactive oxygen species, which damage lipids, proteins and DNA. We recently demonstrated that ferric-nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) damages DNA of human colon cells in different stages of malignant transformation. Opposed to this, little is known on systemic effects of iron and it is still difficult to determine the border between essential iron supplementation and iron overload in humans. The aim of this study was to determine whether Fe-NTA causes global and specific DNA damage in peripheral leucocytes. Human leucocytes were treated in vitro with Fe-NTA for 30 min at 37 degrees C. Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed (6 weeks) with an iron-overload diet (9.9 g Fe/kg DM) and whole blood was collected. DNA damage was measured in human and rat blood cells using the alkaline version of the Comet Assay with repair specific enzymes. In human cells the distribution of TP53 in the comet images was detected using fluorescence in situ hybridization (Comet FISH) to measure DNA damage in the region of the TP53 gene. Fe-NTA (10-500 microM) was clearly genotoxic in human leucocytes in vitro, and also in leucocytes of rats fed the iron overload diet. The induced damage in human leucocytes was approximately two-fold that observed previously in human colon cells. Oxidized bases were induced by iron in rat leucocytes in vivo, while they were not induced in human leucocytes in vitro. Fe-NTA enhanced the migration of TP53 signals into the comet tail of human leucocytes, indicating a high susceptibility of this tumour-relevant gene towards DNA damage induced by iron overload. In conclusion, iron markedly induced DNA damage in human and rat leucocytes, which shows that these white blood cells are sufficiently sensitive to assess exposure to iron. The measurement of DNA damage in human leucocytes could be used as a sensitive biomarker to study iron overload in vivo in humans and thus to determine whether supplementation results in genotoxic risk.

Hemoglobin and hemin induce DNA damage in human colon tumor cells HT29 clone 19A and in primary human colonocytes.

Epidemiological findings have indicated that red meat increases the likelihood of colorectal cancer. Aim of this study was to investigate whether hemoglobin, or its prosthetic group heme, in red meat, is a genotoxic risk factor for cancer. Human colon tumor cells (HT29 clone 19A) and primary colonocytes were incubated with hemoglobin/hemin and DNA damage was investigated using the comet assay. Cell number, membrane damage, and metabolic activity were measured as parameters of cytotoxicity in both cell types. Effects on cell growth were determined using HT29 clone 19A cells. HT29 clone 19A cells were also used to explore possible pro-oxidative effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and antigenotoxic effects of the radical scavenger dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Additionally we determined in HT29 clone 19A cells intracellular iron levels after incubation with hemoglobin/hemin. We found that hemoglobin increased DNA damage in primary cells (> or =10 microM) and in HT29 clone 19A cells (> or =250 microM). Hemin was genotoxic in both cell types (500-1000 microM) with concomitant cytotoxicity, detected as membrane damage. In both cell types, hemoglobin and hemin (> or =100 microM) impaired metabolic activity. The growth of HT29 clone 19A cells was reduced by 50 microM hemoglobin and 10 microM hemin, indicating cytotoxicity at genotoxic concentrations. Hemoglobin or hemin did not enhance the genotoxic activity of H2O2 in HT29 clone 19A cells. On the contrary, DMSO reduced the genotoxicity of hemoglobin, which indicated that free radicals were scavenged by DMSO. Intracellular iron increased in hemoglobin/hemin treated HT29 clone 19A cells, reflecting a 40-50% iron uptake for each compound. In conclusion, our studies show that hemoglobin is genotoxic in human colon cells, and that this is associated with free radical mechanisms and with cytotoxicity, especially for hemin. Thus, hemoglobin/hemin, whether available from red meat or from bowel bleeding, may pose genotoxic and cytotoxic risks to human colon cells, both of which contribute to initiation and progression of colorectal carcinogenesis.

2-Dodecylcyclobutanone, a radiolytic product of palmitic acid, is genotoxic in primary human colon cells and in cells from preneoplastic lesions.

The irradiation of fat results in the formation of 2-alkylcyclobutanones, a new class of food contaminants. Results of previous in vitro studies with primary human colon cells and in vivo experiments with rats fed with 2-alkylcyclobutanones indicated that these radiolytic derivatives may be genotoxic and enhance the progression of colon tumors. The underlying mechanisms of these effects, however, are not clearly understood. Therefore we performed additional investigations to elucidate the genotoxic potential of 2-dodecylcyclobutanone (2dDCB) that is generated from palmitic acid. In particular, we explored the relative sensitivities of human colon cells, representing different stages of tumor development and healthy colon tissues, respectively. HT29clone19A cells, LT97 adenoma cells and primary human epithelial cells were exposed to 2dDCB (150-2097 microM). We determined cytotoxic effects using trypan blue exclusion. Genotoxicity, reflected as strand breaks, was assessed using the alkaline version of the comet assay and chromosomal abnormalities were investigated by 24-color fluorescence-in-situ-hybridization. 2dDCB was cytotoxic in a time- and dose-dependent manner in LT97 adenoma cells and in freshly isolated primary cells but not in the human colon tumor cell line. Associated with this was a marked induction of DNA damage by 2dDCB in LT97 adenoma cells and in freshly isolated colonocytes, whereas in the HT29clone19A cells no strand breaks were detectable. A long-term incubation of LT97 adenoma cells with lower concentrations of 2dDCB revealed cytogenetic effects. In summary, 2dDCB was clearly genotoxic in healthy human colon epithelial cells and in cells representing preneoplastic colon adenoma. These findings provide additional evidence that this compound may be regarded as a possible risk factor for processes in colon carcinogenesis related to initiation and progression.

Both wheat (Triticum aestivum) bran arabinoxylans and gut flora-mediated fermentation products protect human colon cells from genotoxic activities of 4-hydroxynonenal and hydrogen peroxide.

Dietary fibers are fermented by the gut flora to yield short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which inhibit the growth of tumor cells, induce glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), and protect cells from the genotoxic activity of 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE). Here, we investigated effects of wheat bran-derived arabinoxylans and fermentation products on these parameters of chemoprevention. Newly isolated water extractable (WeAx) and alkali extractable arabinoxylans (AeAx) were fermented under anaerobic conditions with human feces. Resulting fermentation supernatants (FSs) were analyzed for SCFAs and used to treat HT29 colon cancer cells. Cell growth, cytotoxicity, antigenotoxicity against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or HNE, and GST activity were determined. Nonfermented WeAx decreased H2O2-induced DNA damage by 64%, thus demonstrating chemoprotective properties by this nonfermented wheat bran fiber. The fermentation of WeAx and AeAx resulted in 3-fold increases of SCFA, but all FSs (including the control without arabinoxylans) inhibited the growth of the HT29 cells, reduced the genotoxicity of HNE, and enhanced the activity of GSTs (FS WeAx, 2-fold; FS AeAx, 1.7-fold; and control FS, 1.4-fold), which detoxify HNE. Thus, increases in SCFAs were not reflected by enhanced functional effects. The conclusion is that fermentation mixtures contain modulatory compounds that arise from the feces and might add to the effectiveness of SCFAs.

The gut fermentation product butyrate, a chemopreventive agent, suppresses glutathione S-transferase theta (hGSTT1) and cell growth more in human colon adenoma (LT97) than tumor (HT29) cells.

PURPOSE: The gut fermentation product of dietary fiber, butyrate, inhibits growth of HT29, an established tumor cell line. It also induces detoxifying enzymes belonging to the glutathione S-transferase family (GSTs), namely hGSTM2, hGSTP1, hGSTA4, but not of hGSTT1 . Here we investigated kinetics of effects in HT29 and compared sensitivities with preneoplastic LT97 colon adenoma cells, to assess mechanisms of colon cancer chemoprevention in two stages of cell transformation. METHODS: We determined cell growth after butyrate treatment by quantifying DNA, GST expression by Northern/Western Blotting or biochemical analysis and butyrate consumption by measuring the residual concentrations in the cell culture supernatants. Stability of GST-theta (hGSTT1) mRNA was assessed in HT29 cells after inhibition of transcription with actinomycin D. RESULTS: LT97 adenoma cells consumed twofold more butyrate and were more sensitive to growth inhibition than HT29 (EC(50)1.9 mM and 4.0 mM, respectively). Butyrate did not induce GSTs, but instead reduced hGSTT1 in LT97 and HT29. CONCLUSIONS: Butyrate has suppressing-agent activities in human colon cells by inhibiting two survival factors, namely hGSTT1 and cell growth, with LT97 more sensitive than HT29. These findings indicate that butyrate formation in the gut lumen of humans could be protective by reducing survival of transformed colon cells.

Genotoxicity of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal in human colon tumor cells is associated with cellular levels of glutathione and the modulation of glutathione S-transferase A4 expression by butyrate.

The cellular production of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), a product of endogenous lipid peroxidation, constitutes a genotoxic risk factor for carcinogenesis. Our previous studies have shown that human HT29 colon cells developed resistance toward HNE injury after treatment with butyrate, a diet-associated gut fermentation product. This resistance was attributed to the induction of certain glutathione S-transferases (hGSTP1-1, hGSTM2-2, and hGSTA1-1) and also for the tripeptide glutathione (GSH) synthesizing enzymes. In the present study, we have investigated in HT29 cells whether hGSTA4-4, which has a high substrate specificity for HNE, was also inducible by butyrate and, thus, could contribute to the previously observed chemoresistance. In addition, we investigated if cellular depletion of GSH by L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine (BSO) enhances chemosensitivity to HNE injury in HT29 cells. Incubation of HT29 cells with butyrate (2-4 mM) significantly elicited a 1.8 to 3-fold upregulation of steady state hGSTA4 mRNA over 8-24 h after treatment. Moreover, 4 mM butyrate tended to increase hGSTA4-4 protein concentrations. Incubation with 100 microM BSO decreased cellular GSH levels by 77% without significant changes in cell viability. Associated with this was a 2-fold higher level of HNE-induced DNA damage as measured by the comet assay. Collectively, the results of this study and our previous work indicate that the genotoxicity of HNE is highly dependent on cellular GSH status and those GSTs that contribute toward HNE conjugation, including hGSTA4-4. Since HNE contributes to colon carcinogenesis, the favorable modulation of the GSH/GST system by butyrate may contribute to chemoprevention and reduction of the risks.

Basal colon crypt cells are more sensitive than surface cells toward hydrogen peroxide, a factor of oxidative stress.

Products of oxidative stress are possibly important risk factors for colon cancer. It is necessary to assess their toxicity in tumour target cells, which include the stem cells and dividing daughter cells located in the bottom of the colon crypts. Here, we investigated the sensitivity of crypt cells towards hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), a key genotoxin associated with oxidative stress. Primary rat colonocytes, were isolated from different regions of the crypts by fractionated digestion. Differentiation was determined by measuring the alkaline phosphatase activity. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage and oxidised DNA bases were determined using the modified version Comet assay with endonuclease III. Major findings were that rat colonocytes had high levels of endogenous DNA single strand breaks, with no significant difference from basal crypt cells to surface cells. However, cells of the basal crypt had more oxidised DNA pyrimidines, which were probably a reflection of preceding in vivo exposure. An in vitro treatment with H(2)O(2) significantly increased DNA strand breaks in all fractions of rat colonocytes, but again cells of the basal crypt were more sensitive than cells of the surface epithelium. We conclude that cells from lower crypt sections are more sensitive towards H(2)O(2) than differentiated cells at the surface of the crypt.

Fruit juice consumption modulates antioxidative status, immune status and DNA damage.

Polyphenolic compounds exert a variety of physiological effects in vitro including antioxidative, immunomodulatory and antigenotoxic effects. In a randomized crossover study in healthy men on a low-polyphenol diet, we determined the effects of 2 polyphenol-rich juices (330 ml/d) supplemented for 2 weeks on bioavailability of polyphenols, markers of antioxidative and immune status, and reduction of DNA damage. Juices provided 236 mg (A) and 226 mg (B) polyphenols with cyanidin glycosides (A) and epigallocatechin gallate (B) as major polyphenolic ingredients. There was no accumulation of plasma polyphenols after two weeks of juice supplementation. In contrast, plasma malondialdehyde decreased with time during juice interventions. Moreover, juice consumption also increased lymphocyte proliferative responsiveness, with no difference between the two juices. Interleukin-2 secretion by activated lymphocytes and the lytic activity of natural killer cells were significantly increased by both juices. Juice intervention had no effect on single DNA strand breaks, but significantly reduced oxidative DNA damage in lymphocytes. A time-delay was observed between the intake of fruit juice and the reduction of oxidative DNA damage and the increase in interleukin-2 secretion. We conclude that consumption of either juice enhanced antioxidant status, reduced oxidative DNA damage and stimulated immune cell functions. However, fruit juice consumption for 2 weeks did not result in elevated plasma polyphenols in subjects after overnight fasting. Further studies should focus on the time-delay between juice intake and changes in measured physiological functions, as well as on active polyphenolic metabolites mediating the observed effects.

New revival of an old biomarker: characterisation of buccal cells and determination of genetic damage in the isolated fraction of viable leucocytes.

Buccal cells serve as targets to assess oral exposures. We have refined isolation methods to characterise yield, viabilities, types of cells and baseline levels of genetic damage. Buccal cells were isolated from mouthwashes of 27 volunteers. They were characterised microscopically and different methods (using antibody-labelled magnetic beads, filtration and gradient centrifugation) were compared to separate epithelial cells from leucocytes. Viability of cells, DNA damage, and activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) were measured with dye exclusion, microgelelectrophoresis, and biochemically. Mouthwashes contained approximately equal amounts of epithelial cells and leucocytes with detectable GST-activities. Repetitive determinations with mouthwashes from four individuals yielded per sample (3.5+/-1.4)x10(6) epithelial cells and (4.7+/-3.9)x10(6) leucocytes with viabilities of 8 and 94%, respectively. Epithelial cells could not be isolated using antibody-labelled beads, but cell separation with the leukocyte-specific antibody CD45 succeeded, yielding 37% leucocytes with a purity of 95% and viability of 65%. Filtering the mouthwash through a 10 microm filter yielded 57% leucocytes, with 86% purity and 94% viability. When using density gradient centrifugation as the separation method, the recovery of leucocytes was low (22%), but good results were scored for purity (95%) and cell viability (88%). This method was used to isolate leucocytes, which were then subjected to a micro-scale comet assay-modification. It was found that buccal leucocytes obtained from smokers had more DNA damage than cells from non-smokers. In conclusion, suspensions of buccal cells consist in approximately equal parts of epithelial cells and leucocytes. Only leucocytes are sufficiently viable for measuring parameters of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity or for studying modulation of gene expression. The cells are useful targets of non-invasive biomarkers, which could be incorporated as tools in many types of intervention studies.

Iron-overload induces oxidative DNA damage in the human colon carcinoma cell line HT29 clone 19A.

Dietary iron may contribute to colon cancer risk via production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of the study was to determine whether physiological ferric/ferrous iron induces oxidative DNA damage in human colon cells. Therefore, differentiated human colon tumour cells (HT29 clone 19A) were incubated with ferric-nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) or with haemoglobin and DNA breaks and oxidised bases were determined by microgelelectrophoresis. The effects of Fe-NTA were measured with additional H(2)O(2) (75microM) and quercetin (25-100microM) treatment. Analytic detection of iron in cell cultures, treated with 250microM Fe-NTA for 15 min to 24h, showed that 48.02+/-5.14 to 68.31+/-2.11% were rapidly absorbed and then detectable in the cellular fraction. Fe-NTA (250-1000microM) induced DNA breaks and oxidised bases, which were enhanced by subsequent H(2)O(2) exposure. Simultaneous incubation of HT29 clone 19A cells with Fe-NTA and H(2)O(2) for 15 min, 37 degrees C did not change the effect of H(2)O(2) alone. The impact of Fe-NTA and H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative damage is reduced by the antioxidant quercetin (75-67% of H(2)O(2)-control). Haemoglobin was as effective as Fe-NTA in inducing DNA damage. From these results we can conclude that iron is taken up by human colon cells and participates in the induction of oxidative DNA damage. Thus, iron or its capacity to catalyse ROS-formation, is an important colon cancer risk factor. Inhibition of damage by quercetin reflects the potential of antioxidative compounds to influence this risk factor. Quantitative data on the genotoxic impact of ferrous iron (e.g. from red meat) relative to the concentrations of antioxidants (from plant foods) in the gut are now needed to determine the optimal balance of food intake that will reduce exposure to this type of colon cancer risk factor.

Gene expression profiles in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells as biomarkers for nutritional in vitro and in vivo investigations.

Identification of chemopreventive substances may be achieved by measuring biological endpoints in human cells in vitro. Since generally only tumour cells are available for such investigations, our aim was to test the applicability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as an in vitro primary cell model since they mimic the human in vivo situation and are relatively easily available. Cell culture conditions were refined, and the basal variation of gene expression related to drug metabolism and stress response was determined. Results were compared with profiles of an established human colon cell line (HT29) as standard. For biomarker development of nutritional effects, PBMC and HT29 cells were treated with potentially chemopreventive substances (chrysin and butyrate), and gene expression was determined. Key results were that relevant stress response genes, such as glutathione S-transferase T2 (GSTT2) and GSTM2, were modulated by butyrate in PBMC as in HT29 cells, but the blood cells were less sensitive and responded with high individual differences. We conclude that these cells may serve as a surrogate tissue in dietary investigations and the identified differentially expressed genes have the potential to become marker genes for population studies on biological effects.

Does an extract of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) have chemopreventive potential related to oxidative stress and drug metabolism in human colon cells?

Phenolic ingredients of an aqueous carob extract are well characterized and consist of mainly gallic acid (GA). In order to assess possible chemopreventive mechanisms of carob, which can be used as a cacao substitute, effects on expression of genes related to stress response and drug metabolism were studied using human colon cell lines of different transformation state (LT97 and HT29). Stress-related genes, namely catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD2), were induced by carob extract and GA in LT97 adenoma, but not in HT29 carcinoma cells. Although corresponding protein products and enzyme activities were not elevated, pretreatment with carob extract and GA for 24 h reduced DNA damage in cells challenged with hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). In conclusion, carob extract and its major phenolic ingredient GA modulate gene expression and protect colon adenoma cells from genotoxic impact of H(2)O(2). Upregulation of stress-response genes could not be related to functional consequences.

Modulation of gene expression in eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid treated human colon adenoma cells.

Epidemiological studies suggest that high fish intake is associated with a decreased risk of colorectal cancer which has been linked to the high content of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in some fish. The aim of the study was to compare the modulation of gene expression in LT97 colon adenoma cells in response to EPA and DHA treatment. Therefore, we used custom-designed cDNA arrays containing probes for 306 genes related to stress response, apoptosis and carcinogenesis and hybridised them with cDNA from LT97 cells which were treated for 10 or 24 h with 50 muM EPA or DHA. There was a marked influence of n-3 PUFA on the expression of several gene types, such as detoxification, cell cycle control, signaling pathways, apoptosis and inflammation. DHA and EPA generally modulated different sets of genes, although a few common effects were noted. In our approach, we used preneoplastic adenoma cells which are a relevant model for target cells of chemoprevention. If verified with real time PCR, these results identify genes and targets for chemoprevention of colon cancer.

Effects of fatty acids on metabolism and cell growth of human colon cell lines of different transformation state.

Epidemiological studies suggest that high fish intake is associated with a decreased risk of colorectal cancer which has been linked to the high content of the n - 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in some fish. In this study, two different cell lines are compared in relation to their response to EPA and DHA versus the plant derived PUFAs, linoleic acid (LA), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and to the ubiquitous arachidonic acid (ARA). The uptake of 100 microM of each fatty acid (FA) was determined using GC. The 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole assay for DNA quantification and the Cell-Titer-Blue assay were used to determine cell survival and metabolic activity at 2-72 h after treatment. All FAs were utilized more efficiently by the human colon adenoma cell line LT97 than by the adenocarcinoma cell line HT29. LT97 were more susceptible than HT29 cells to the growth inhibitory activities of all FAs except for DHA where both were equally sensitive. Inhibition of survival and metabolic activity by EPA and DHA increased with treatment time in both cell lines. ALA or GLA were less growth inhibitory than EPA or DHA and ARA had intermediary activity. The data show that the tested FAs are incorporated into colon cells. Furthermore, adenoma cells are more susceptible than the adenocarcinoma cells.

Effects of carrot and tomato juice consumption on faecal markers relevant to colon carcinogenesis in humans.

High intakes of carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables are associated with a reduced risk of various cancers including colon cancer. A human intervention study with carrot and tomato juice should show whether a diet rich in carotenoids, especially high in beta-carotene and lycopene, can modify luminal processes relevant to colon carcinogenesis. In a randomised cross-over trial, twenty-two healthy young men on a low-carotenoid diet consumed 330 ml tomato or carrot juice per d for 2 weeks. Intervention periods were preceded by 2-week depletion phases. At the end of each study period, faeces of twelve volunteers were collected for chemical analyses and use in cell-culture systems. Consumption of carrot juice led to a marked increase of beta-carotene and alpha-carotene in faeces and faecal water, as did lycopene after consumption of tomato juice. In the succeeding depletion phases, carotenoid contents in faeces and faecal water returned to their initial values. Faecal water showed high dose-dependent cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects on colon adenocarcinoma cells (HT29). These effects were not markedly changed by carrot and tomato juice consumption. Neither bile acid concentrations nor activities of the bacterial enzymes beta-glucosidase and beta-glucuronidase in faecal water changed after carrot and tomato juice consumption. Faecal water pH decreased only after carrot juice consumption. SCFA were probably not responsible for this effect, as SCFA concentrations and profiles did not change significantly. In summary, in the present study, 2-week interventions with carotenoid-rich juices led only to minor changes in investigated luminal biomarkers relevant to colon carcinogenesis.