Over-expression of COX-2 mRNA in colorectal cancer.

Background: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2, PTGS2) is an enzyme involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxanes, which are regulators of biologic processes such as inflammation, cell proliferation and angiogenesis. COX-2 over-expression was reported in many (pre) malignant tissues, but data strongly vary and seem to depend on the methodology used.

Methods: Normal colorectal mucosa and paired cancerous tissue from 60 patients with colorectal cancer was investigated for the levels of COX-2 mRNA by real-time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR).

Ursodeoxycholic acid counteracts celecoxib in reduction of duodenal polyps in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis: a multicentre, randomized controlled trial.

Background: Due to prophylactic colectomy, mortality in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) has changed, with duodenal cancer currently being the main cause of death. Although celecoxib reduces duodenal polyp density in patients with FAP, its long-term use may increase the risk of cardiovascular events and alternatives need to be explored. Preclinical studies suggest that the combination of celecoxib with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a potentially effective strategy.

The influence of curcumin, quercetin, and eicosapentaenoic acid on the expression of phase II detoxification enzymes in the intestinal cell lines HT-29, Caco-2, HuTu 80, and LT97.

Curcumin, quercetin, and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are 3 natural compounds with the capacity to reduce adenoma burden in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). The mechanistic basis of this anticarcinogenic capacity is largely unknown, but it was suggested that induction of detoxification enzymes is involved. Therefore, the effects of low-dose curcumin, quercetin, and EPA on phase II detoxification enzymes UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), as well as on glutathione (GSH) content were analyzed in 4 cell line models of intestinal carcinogenesis.

Celecoxib and tauro-ursodeoxycholic acid co-treatment inhibits cell growth in familial adenomatous polyposis derived LT97 colon adenoma cells.

Chemoprevention would be a desirable strategy to avoid duodenectomy in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) suffering from duodenal adenomatosis. We investigated the in vitro effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and COX-2 expression of the potential chemopreventives celecoxib and tauro-ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). HT-29 colon cancer cells and LT97 colorectal micro-adenoma cells derived from a patient with FAP, were exposed to low dose celecoxib and UDCA alone or in combination with tauro-cholic acid (CA) and tauro-chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), mimicking bile of FAP patients treated with UDCA.