Positive Health Online

Abstract

AN and COLLEAGUES, Genetic Engineering, Cheongju University, Korea measured the expression of p53 level involved in the effect of Vitamin C (VC) on Cisplatin (CDDP)-induced apoptosis of HCT116, a human colon cancer cell line. P53 is a tumour suppressor protein that in humans is encoded by the TP53 gene. p53 is crucial in multicellular organisms, where it regulates the cell cycle and, thus, functions as a tumour suppressor that is involved in preventing cancer.

Background

Vitamin C (VC) is an important antioxidant and enzyme co-factor that works by stimulating the immune system and protecting against infections. It is well known that melanoma cells are more susceptible to VC than any other tumour cells. However, the role of VC in the treatment of colon cancer has not been studied. Cisplatin (CDDP) is a DNA damaging agent and is widely used for treating cancer, while the role of p53 in CDDP-induced cell death has been stressed.

Methodology

Using cell growth assays, morphological methods, Western blotting, flow cytometry, and DNA fragmentation analysis, we measured the expression of p53 level involved in the effect of VC on CDDP-induced apoptosis of HCT116, a human colon cancer cell line.

Results

CDDP plus VC treatment resulted in significantly increased apoptosis along with upregulation of p53 compared to untreated cells and/or CDDP-treated cells.

Conclusion

These results suggest that VC enhanced CDDP sensitivity and apoptosis via upregulation of p53.

References

An SH, Kang JH, Kim DH and Lee MS. Vitamin C increases the apoptosis via up-regulation p53 during cisplatin treatment in human colon cancer cells. BMB reports. 44(3): 211-6, Mar 2011.

Comment

This study documents, at the molecular level that vitamin C significantly increases apoptosis (suicide) and increases expression of the p53 gene, along with cisplatin, a chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of colon cancer cells.