Fermentation products of inulin-type fructans reduce proliferation and induce apoptosis in human colon tumour cells of different stages of carcinogenesis.

Epidemiological evidence suggests that the intake of prebiotic dietary fibres, for example, inulin, protects against colorectal cancer. However, little is known about cellular responses to complex fermentation samples. Therefore, we prepared a fermentation supernatant fraction of inulin and studied biological properties in human colon cell lines, LT97 and HT29 (representing early and late stages of colon cancer). Inulin enriched with oligofructose (Synergy 1) was incubated under anaerobic conditions with faecal inocula and the supernatant fraction was characterised for content of SCFA and secondary bile acid deoxycholic acid (DCA). A Synergy fermentation supernatant fraction (SFS) and a synthetic fermentation mixture (SFM) mimicking the SFS in SCFA and DCA content were used in the concentration range of 1.25-20 % (v/v) for 24-72 h. The effects on cell growth were determined by quantifying DNA. Effects on apoptosis were analysed by measuring poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage using Western blotting. Compared with the faecal blank, produced without the addition of inulin, the SFS resulted in an almost 2.5-fold increase of SCFA and 3.4-fold decrease of DCA. In comparison with HT29 cells, LT97 cells responded more sensitively to the growth-inhibitory activities. Additionally, a significant increase in PARP cleavage was observed in LT97 cells after incubation with the SFS, demonstrating induction of apoptosis. The present results indicate growth-inhibiting and apoptosis-inducing effects of fermentation supernatant fractions of inulin. Moreover, since early adenoma cells were found to be more sensitive, this may have important implications for chemoprevention when translated to the in vivo situation, because survival of early transformed cells could be reduced.

Apple polyphenols modulate expression of selected genes related to toxicological defence and stress response in human colon adenoma cells.

Apples contain significant amounts of flavonoids that are potentially cancer risk reducing by acting antioxidative or antiproliferative and by favorably modulating gene expression. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether polyphenols from apples modulate expression of genes related to colon cancer prevention in preneoplastic cells derived from colon adenoma (LT97). For this, LT97 cells were treated with effective concentrations of apple extracts (AEs). RNA was isolated and used for synthesis and labeling of cDNA that was hybridized to cDNA-arrays. Gene expression studies were performed using a commercial cDNA-array from Superarray that contains a limited number of genes (96 genes) related to drug metabolism, and a custom-made cDNA microarray that contains a higher number of genes (300 genes, including some genes from Superarray) related to mechanisms of carcinogenesis or chemoprevention. Real-time PCR and enzyme activity assays were additionally performed to confirm selected array results. Treatment of cells with AE resulted in 30 and 46 genes expressed over cut-off values (>or=1.5- or

Histone-deacetylase inhibition and butyrate formation: Fecal slurry incubations with apple pectin and apple juice extracts.

OBJECTIVE: Butyrate plays a major role among the short-chained fatty acids formed by the microbial flora of the colon. It is considered to be an important nutrient of the colon mucosa and has been shown to trigger differentiation and apoptosis of colon-derived cells in culture. Inhibition of histone deacetylase (HDAC) seems to play a central role in these effects. Butyrate was thus suggested to act as a chemopreventive metabolite that can prevent the occurrence of colorectal cancer, one of the most abundant types of cancer in Western industrialized countries. Some polymeric carbohydrates such as pectin, resistant to digestion in the small intestine, have been shown to serve as substrates for butyrate formation by the microflora of the colon. METHODS: In this study we investigated fermentation supernatants (FSs) from incubations of human fecal slurry with apple pectin and with polyphenol-rich apple juice extracts (AJEs). RESULTS: We found that FSs from fermentations with pectin were rich in butyrate and very active in HDAC inhibition in nuclear extracts prepared from the colon tumor cell lines HT-29 and Caco-2 and in intact HeLa Mad 38 cells bearing a reporter gene driven by HDAC inhibition. The butyrate levels explained most of the HDAC-inhibitory potency in FSs from pectin-rich fermentations. FSs from fermentations with AJEs showed lower butyrate yields but comparable HDAC inhibition. Combined incubations of pectin with AJEs led to effects similar to those with FSs from incubations with pectin as the only substrate added. These effects could not be explained by a direct HDAC-inhibitory potency of AJEs. Furthermore, the FSs were not cytotoxic at the HDAC-inhibitory concentrations. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that butyrate is the most relevant HDAC inhibitor formed in fermentations of human fecal slurry with apple pectin, whereas addition of AJEs leads to the formation of butyrate and other, yet unknown, HDAC inhibitors.

Physiological concentrations of butyrate favorably modulate genes of oxidative and metabolic stress in primary human colon cells.

Butyrate, a metabolite of gut flora-mediated fermentation of dietary fibre, was analysed for effects on expression of genes related to oxidative stress in primary human colon cells. An induction of detoxifying, antioxidative genes is expected to contribute to dietary chemoprevention. Cells were treated with butyrate (3.125-50 mM; 0.5-8 h), and kinetics of uptake and survival were measured. Gene expression was determined with a pathway-specific cDNA array after treating colon epithelium stripes with nontoxic doses of butyrate (10 mM, 12 h). Changes of hCOX-2, hSOD2 and hCAT expression were confirmed with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by measuring catalase-enzyme activity. Primary colon cells consumed 1.5 and 0.5 mM butyrate after 4- and 12-h treatment, respectively. Cell viability was not changed by butyrate during 0.5-2-h treatment, whereas cell yields decreased after 1 h. Metabolic activity of remaining cells was either increased (4 h, 50 mM) or retained at 97% (8 h, 50 mM). Expression of hCAT was enhanced, whereas hCOX-2 and hSOD2 were lowered according to both array and real-time PCR analysis. An enhanced catalase-enzyme activity was detected after 2 h butyrate treatment. Healthy nontransformed colon cells well tolerated butyrate (50 mM, 2 h), and lower concentrations (10 mM, 12 h) modulated cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and catalase genes. This points to a dual role of chemoprotection, since less COX-2 could reduce inflammatory processes, whereas more catalase improves detoxification of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), a compound of oxidative stress. Changes of this type could reduce damaging effects by oxidants and protect cells from initiation.

Apple polyphenols and products formed in the gut differently inhibit survival of human cell lines derived from colon adenoma (LT97) and carcinoma (HT29).

Colorectal tumor risks could be reduced by polyphenol-rich diets that inhibit cell growth. Here, apple polyphenols were studied for effects on the survival of colon adenoma (LT97) and carcinoma-derived (HT29) cell lines. Three apple extracts (AEs) from harvest years 2002-2004 were isolated (AE02, AE03, and AE04) and fermented in vitro with human fecal flora. Extracts and fermentation products were analyzed for polyphenols with HPLC. The cells were treated with AEs (0-850 microg/mL) or fermented AEs (F-AEs, 0-9%), and survival was measured by DNA staining. All AEs contained high amounts of polyphenols (311-534 mg/g) and reduced cell survival (in LT97 > HT29). AE03 was most potent, possibly because it contained more quercetin compounds. Fermentation of AEs resulted in an increase of short chain fatty acids, and polyphenols were degraded. The F-AEs were approximately 3-fold less bioactive than the corresponding AEs, pointing to a loss of chemoprotective properties through fermentation.

Uranyl nitrilotriacetate, a stabilized salt of uranium, is genotoxic in nontransformed human colon cells and in the human colon adenoma cell line LT97.

Previous uranium mining in the "Wismut" region in Germany enhanced environmental distribution of heavy metals and radionuclides. Carryover effects may now lead to contamination of locally produced foods. Compounds of "Wismut" origin are probably genotoxic via their irradiating components (radon) or by interacting directly with cellular macromolecules. To assess possible hazards, we investigated the genotoxic effects of uranyl nitrilotriacetate (U-NTA) in human colon tumor cells (HT29 clone 19A), adenoma cells (LT97), and nontransformed primary colon cells. These are target cells of oral exposure to environmentally contaminated foods and represent different cellular stages during colorectal carcinogenesis. Colon cells were incubated with U-NTA. Cell survival, cytotoxicity, cellular glutathione (GSH) levels, genotoxicity, and DNA repair capacity (comet assay), as well as gene- and chromosome-specific damage combination of comet assay and fluorescence in situ hybridization [FISH], 24-color FISH) were determined. U-NTA inhibited growth of HT29 clone 19A cells (75-2000 microM, 72 h) and increased GSH (125-2000 microM, 24 h). U-NTA was genotoxic (1000 microM, 30 min) but did not inhibit the repair of DNA damage caused by hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), 4-hydroxynonenal, and 2-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine. U-NTA was also genotoxic in LT97 cells and primary colon cells, where it additionally increased migration of TP53 into the comet tail. In LT97 cells, 0.5-2mM U-NTA increased chromosomal aberrations in chromosomes 5, 12, and 17, which harbor the tumor-related genes APC, KRAS, and TP53. It may be concluded that uranium compounds could increase alimentary genotoxic exposure in humans if they reach the food chain in sufficient amounts.

Intervention with polyphenol-rich fruit juices results in an elevation of glutathione S-transferase P1 (hGSTP1) protein expression in human leucocytes of healthy volunteers.

Polyphenols are probably antigenotoxic on account of their antioxidant activities and might alter phase I and II enzymes in a way that results in chemoprotection. We investigated the hypothesis that polyphenols enhance expression of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), which increases carcinogen detoxification and thereby provides protection against oxidative stress. HGSTP1 protein expression and GST polymorphisms were determined in leucocytes obtained during an intervention study with healthy subjects consuming two fruit juices in an 8 wk trial (polyphenol-free run in phase, juice intervention phase, washout phase, second juice intervention phase, each treatment regime lasted for 2 wk). The study had originally shown that juice intervention significantly reduced oxidative DNA damage in leucocytes at week 8 (Bub, A., Watzl, B., Blockhaus, M., Briviba, K. et al., J. Nutr. Biochem. 2003, 14, 90-98). We reanalysed the levels of DNA damage based on GST genotypes. We also treated leucocytes in vitro with mixtures of polyphenols and determined cytotoxicity and expression of 96 genes related to drug metabolism. Key results with leucocytes of the intervention study were that the initial content of hGSTP1 protein was first suppressed at weeks 4 and 6. At week 8, however, hGSTP1 protein expression was significantly increased. HGSTP1 protein levels and DNA damage were inversely correlated (p = 0.005), but there was no difference for cells obtained from subjects with hGSTM1*1 and hGSTM1*0 genotypes, nor was there any difference between cells from subjects consuming the two different juices. The treatment of leucocytes with polyphenol mixtures in vitro did not result in modulated GST gene expression or total GST activity, but in an up-regulation of other biotransformation enzymes (e. g., members of the cytochrome P450 and the sulphotransferase family). In conclusion, in vitro treatment of leucocytes led to a modulated mRNA expression of selected genes, not directly related to oxidative defence systems. In vivo, however, we observed a delayed enhancement of hGSTP1, which could be associated with an initial repression of oxidative DNA damage in leucocytes from human subjects, consuming juices with high levels of polyphenols.

Human adenoma cells are highly susceptible to the genotoxic action of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal.

Oxidative stress and resulting lipid peroxidation are important risk factors for dietary-associated colon cancer. To get a better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms, we need to characterise the risk potential of the key compounds, which cause DNA damage in cancer-relevant genes and especially in human target cells. Here, we investigated the genotoxic effects of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in human colon cells (LT97). LT97 is a recently established cell line from a differentiated microadenoma and represents cells from frequent preneoplastic lesions of the colon. The genomic characterisation of LT97 was performed with 24-colour FISH. Genotoxicity was determined with single cell microgelelectrophoresis (Comet assay). Comet FISH was used to study the sensitivity of TP53-a crucial target gene for the transition of adenoma to carcinoma-towards HNE. Expression of glutathione S-transferases (GST), which deactivates HNE, was determined as GST activity and GSTP1 protein levels. LT97 cells were compared to primary human colon cells and to a differentiated clone of HT29. Karyotyping revealed that the LT97 cell line had a stable karyotype with only two clones, each containing a translocation t(7;17) and one aberrant chromosome 1. The Comet assay experiments showed that both HNE and H(2)O(2) were clearly genotoxic in the different human colon cells. HNE was more genotoxic in LT97 than in HT29clone19A and primary human colon cells. After HNE incubation, TP53 migrated more efficiently into the comet tail than the global DNA, which suggests a higher susceptibility of the TP53 gene to HNE. GST expression was significantly lower in LT97 than in HT29clone19A cells, which could explain the higher genotoxicity of HNE in the colon adenoma cells. In conclusion, the LT97 is a relevant model for studying genotoxicity of colon cancer risk factors since colon adenoma are common preneoplastic lesions occurring in advanced age.

Products formed during fermentation of the prebiotic inulin with human gut flora enhance expression of biotransformation genes in human primary colon cells.

Inulin-type fructans are fermented by gut bacteria to yield SCFA, including butyrate which is trophic for colonocytes and induces glutathione S-transferases (GST) that detoxify carcinogens. Since little is known on similar effects by complex fermentation samples, we studied related products in non-transformed human colonocytes. Inulin enriched with oligofructose (1:1, Synergy1) was fermented with human gut flora. SCFA were quantified and a SCFA mixture was prepared accordingly. Colonocytes were incubated (4-12 h) with the Synergy1 fermentation supernatant (SFS), faeces control, a mixture of the three major SCFA (each 0-15 %, v/v) or butyrate (0-50 mM). Metabolic activity was determined to assess trophic effects and cytotoxicity. Expression of ninety-six genes related to biotransformation was studied using cDNA macroarrays. Results on modulated GST were reassessed with real-time PCR and GST activity was measured. Fermentation of inulin resulted in 2-3-fold increases of SCFA. The samples were non-cytotoxic. SFS increased metabolic activity, pointing to trophic effects. The samples modulated gene expression with different response patterns. Key results were that GSTM2 (2.0-fold) and GSTM5 (2.2-fold) were enhanced by SFS, whereas the SCFA mixture reduced expression. The faeces control enhanced GSTA4 (2.0-fold), but reduced GSTM2 (0.2-fold) and GSTM5 (0.2-fold). Realtime qPCR confirmed the induction of GSTM2 and GSTM5 by SFS and of GSTA4 and GSTT2 by butyrate. Activity of GST was not modulated. High concentrations of fermentation products were well tolerated by primary colonocytes, pointing to trophic effects. The induction of GST by the SFS may protect the cells from carcinogenic compounds.

Apple flavonoids inhibit growth of HT29 human colon cancer cells and modulate expression of genes involved in the biotransformation of xenobiotics.

Flavonoids from fruits and vegetables probably reduce risks of diseases associated with oxidative stress, including cancer. Apples contain significant amounts of flavonoids with antioxidative potential. The objectives of this study were to investigate such compounds for properties associated with reduction of cancer risks. We report herein that apple flavonoids from an apple extract (AE) inhibit colon cancer cell growth and significantly modulate expression of genes related to xenobiotic metabolism. HT29 cells were treated with AE at concentrations delivering 5-50 microM of one of the major ingredients, phloridzin ("phloridzin-equivalents," Ph.E), to the cell culture medium, with a synthetic flavonoid mixture mimicking the composition of the AE or with 5-100 microM individual flavonoids. HT29 cell growth was inhibited by the complex extract and by the mixture. HT29 cells were treated with nontoxic doses of the AE (30 microM, Ph.E) and after 24 h total RNA was isolated to elucidate patterns of gene expression using a human cDNA-microarray (SuperArray) spotted with 96 genes of drug metabolism. Treatment with AE resulted in an upregulation of several genes (GSTP1, GSSTT2, MGST2, CYCP4F3, CHST5, CHST6, and CHST7) and downregulation of EPHX1, in comparison to the medium controls. The enhanced transcriptional activity of GSTP1 and GSTT2 genes was confirmed with real-time qRT-PCR. On the basis of the pattern of differential gene expression found here, we conclude that apple flavonoids modulate toxicological defense against colon cancer risk factors. In addition to the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, this could be a mechanism of cancer risk reduction.

Butyrate may enhance toxicological defence in primary, adenoma and tumor human colon cells by favourably modulating expression of glutathione S-transferases genes, an approach in nutrigenomics.

Butyrate, formed by bacterial fermentation of plant foods, has been suggested to reduce colon cancer risks by suppressing the proliferation of tumor cells. In addition, butyrate has been shown to induce glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) in tumor cell lines, which may contribute to the detoxification of dietary carcinogens. We hypothesize that butyrate also affects biotransformation in non-transformed colon cells. Thus, we have investigated the gene expression of drug metabolism genes in primary human colon tissue, premalignant LT97 adenoma and HT29 tumor cells cultured in an appropriate medium+/-butyrate. A total of 96 drug metabolism genes (including 12 GSTs) spotted on cDNA macroarrays (Superarray; n = 3) were hybridized with biotin-labeled cDNA probes. To validate the expression detected with Superarray, samples of LT97 cells were also analyzed with high density microarrays (Affymetrix U133A), which include biotransformation genes that overlap with the set of genes represented on the Superarray. Relative expression levels were compared across colon samples and for each colon sample+/-butyrate. Compared with fresh tissue, 13 genes were downregulated in primary cells cultivated ex vivo, whereas 8 genes were upregulated. Several genes were less expressed in LT97 (40 genes) or in HT29 (41 and 17 genes, grown for 72 and 48 h, respectively) compared with primary colon tissue. Butyrate induced GSTP1, GSTM2, and GSTA4 in HT29 as previously confirmed by other methods (northern blot/qPCR). We detected an upregulation of GSTs (GSTA2, GSTT2) that are known to be involved in the defence against oxidative stress in primary cells upon incubation with butyrate. The changes in expression detected in LT97 by Superarray and Affymetrix were similar, confirming the validity of the results. We conclude that low GST expression levels were favourably altered by butyrate. An induction of the toxicological defence system possibly contributes to reported chemopreventive properties of butyrate, a product of dietary fibre fermentation in the gut.

beta-Carotene reduces bleomycin-induced genetic damage in human lymphocytes.

We had previously shown in a human feeding study that ingestion of tomato and carrot juices decreases DNA breaks and oxidized pyrimidine bases in peripheral lymphocytes and enhances expression of glutathione S-transferase (GST) in a subpopulation of the volunteers. The aim of this study was to determine how the major carotenoids of these juices (beta-carotene or lycopene) could contribute to the observed antigenotoxicity. Physiological concentrations (2 microM) of water-soluble beta-carotene and lycopene were incubated for 18-24 h with lymphocytes and then treated with bleomycin or H(2)O(2). Strand breaks, oxidized DNA bases, and persistence of damage (DNA repair) were measured by single-cell microgelelectrophoresis. GST-protein (GSTP1) was determined using an immunoassay and by measuring enzyme activity. HPLC analysis showed that beta-carotene was taken up by the cells after 24 h, and this was associated with a reduction of bleomycin-induced damage (29.11 +/- 1.86% tail intensity without versus 21.54 +/- 2.36% with beta-carotene). Lycopene was ineffective. The carotenoids did not modulate repair of bleomycin- and H(2)O(2)-induced damage and did not alter levels of oxidized pyrimidine bases nor GST expression. The results indicate that beta-carotene can enter the cell and protect against strand breaks but not against oxidized DNA bases. Therefore, beta-carotene accounts for only part of the protection observed in vivo with carotenoid-rich vegetable juices.

Expression of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) in human colon cells and inducibility of GSTM2 by butyrate.

The glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a multigene family of enzymes largely involved in the detoxification of chemicals. In animals, enhanced expression is mediated by products of gut fermentation. Of these, butyrate induces GSTP1 protein expression and GST activity in the human colon tumor cell line HT29. The aim of the following investigations was to further elucidate butyrate-modulated induction of additional colonic GSTs in HT29 and to determine baseline expression in non-transformed cells, isolated from human colorectal tissue. We measured five GST protein subunits (GSTA1/2-composed of GST A1-1, A1-2 and A2-2-GSTM1, GSTM2, GSTP1, GSTT1) by western blot, GST activity using 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as substrate and GSTM2 mRNA expression with RT-PCR. GSTP1, followed by GSTT1, were major subunits in all colon cells. Cells isolated from colon tissue were identified to be colonocytes and colon fibroblasts, both of which also expressed substantial levels of GSTM1 and GSTM2. The inter-individual variation of GST subunits in coloncytes of 15 individuals was marked, with total GST protein per 106 cells differing by more than a factor of four. In HT29, butyrate significantly enhanced GSTA1/2 (3.5-fold), GSTM2 (not detectable in controls), GSTP1 (1.5-fold) and GST activity (1.4-fold), but not GSTM1 or GSTT1. GSTM2 mRNA expression was significantly induced after 24 ( approximately 14-fold) and 72 h treatment ( approximately 8-fold). In colon fibroblasts, butyrate (4 mM, 72 h) also induced GSTM2 protein (1.7-fold) and GST activity (1.4-fold). Colonocytes were too short lived to be used for inducibility studies. In conclusion, GSTs are expressed with high inter-individual variability in human colonocytes. This points to large differences in cellular susceptibility to xenobiotics. However, butyrate, an important luminal component produced from fermentation of dietary fibers, is an efficient inducer of GSTs and especially of GSTM2. This indicates that butyrate may act chemoprotectively by increasing detoxification capabilities in the colon mucosa.