Folate supplementation limits the tumourigenesis in rodent models of gliomagenesis.

A hallmark of cancer is the paradoxical co-presence, in the same tumour, of local and global DNA hypomethylation together with the regional hypermethylation of certain genes. Due to the oncogenic role of these different DNA methylation alterations, two therapeutic strategies are possible: the use of DNA methylating agents (DMA, such as folate) to inhibit global or local DNA hypomethylation or the use of DNA hypomethylating agents (DHA, such as 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine) to abrogate the accumulation of hypermethylated genes. Here we explored the use of folate to treat gliomas in a mouse model, using tumours induced by either PDGF-B or Ras/Akt overexpression, or by ethylnitrosourea (ENU) treatment.

Increase in intracellular PGE2 induces apoptosis in Bax-expressing colon cancer cell.

Background: NSAIDs exhibit protective properties towards some cancers, especially colon cancer. Yet, it is not clear how they play their protective role. PGE2 is generally shown as the only target of the NSAIDs anticancerous activity.

Folate supplementation limits the aggressiveness of glioma via the remethylation of DNA repeats element and genes governing apoptosis and proliferation.

Purpose: We have investigated whether the folate supplementation could be used to limit the aggressiveness of glioma through the DNA remethylation because (a) the cancer genome is characterized by a low level of DNA methylation (or 5-methylcytosine, 5 mC); and (b) folate is the main generator of S-adenosyl-methionine, the methyl donor molecule in the DNA methylation reaction catalyzed by the DNA methyltranferases.

Experimental Design: The effects of folate supplementations were analyzed on the global DNA methylation status, the methylation status of DNA repeat element, the sensitivity of temozolomide-induced apoptosis, and the proliferation index of glioma cells. Finally, we analyzed whether the DNA methylation level could be used as a prognostic factor and/or a biomarker in an antiglioma therapy using folate supplementation as an adjuvant.

Dietary prevention of malignant glioma aggressiveness, implications in oxidant stress and apoptosis.

Our study explored the influence of diet on gliomagenesis and associated systemic effects (SE) in rats. The experimental diet contained various ingredients supposed to interfere with carcinogenesis, mainly phytochemicals (PtcD for phytochemical diet) and its effects were compared to those of the same diet without the phytochemicals (BD for basal diet). Glioma was induced by ethylnitrosourea to pregnant females fed the diets from the start of gestation until the moment of sacrifice of the offpsrings.

Changes in liver mitochondrial plasticity induced by brain tumor.

Background: Accumulating data suggest that liver is a major target organ of systemic effects observed in the presence of a cancer. In this study, we investigated the consequences of the presence of chemically induced brain tumors in rats on biophysical parameters accounting for the dynamics of water in liver mitochondria.

Methods: Tumors of the central nervous system were induced by intraveinous administration of ethylnitrosourea (ENU) to pregnant females on the 19th day of gestation.

[Dietary fatty acids and experimental carcinogenesis].

Experiments in animal models of mammary carcinogenesis suggest that fatty acids promote mammary tumors development. This effect depends first on the amount then on the type of fatty acids available. n-6 fatty acids such as linoleic acid generally stimulates mammary tumor growth, while n-3 fatty acids oppose this effect.

Large intestine intraepithelial lymphocytes from Apc+/+ and Apc+/Min mice and their modulation by indigestible carbohydrates: the IL-15/IL-15R alpha complex and CD4+ CD25+ T cells are the main targets.

We have shown recently that some indigestible carbohydrate (short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides [sc-FOS]) reduced colon tumor incidence in Apc+/Min mice, and that this effect depended on a functional local immune system. In addition, IL-15 mRNA was concomitantly modulated in the mucosa. Since intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) are in close contact with intestinal epithelial cells, these cells are the candidates most likely to be involved in early cancer immunosurveillance.

Fructooligosaccharide associated with celecoxib reduces the number of aberrant crypt foci in the colon of rats.

According to Burkitt's hypothesis, dietary fibres may protect against the development of colorectal cancer. In rats, studies have shown that only butyrate-producing fibres are protective. In parallel, in humans, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which target cyclooxygenases, have been shown to display a protective effect against colorectal cancer.

Apc+/Min colonic epithelial cells express TNF receptors and ICAM-1 when they are co-cultured with large intestine intra-epithelial lymphocytes.

Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) functions are involved in the heterotypic interactions occurring between intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and intra-epithelial lymphocytes (IELs). These interactions may be of interest in cancer prevention, since recent data provide evidence for lymphocyte mediated immunosurveillance of epithelial cancers. The present study attempts to determine if APC inactivation induces changes in the cross-talk between IEC and large intestine IEL (LI-IEL) through intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1)/leukocyte function-associated (LFA-1) interactions.

Butyrate restores motile function and actin cytoskeletal network integrity in apc mutated mouse colon epithelial cells.

Loss of function of the Apc gene product is an early and frequent event in colorectal carcinogenesis. Altered migration of intestinal epithelial cells has been described in vivo in the Min mouse Apc+/Min model. Using cell lines established from this model we show in vitro that Apc+/Min cells are less motile than Apc+/+ cells and exhibit a disordered actin cytoskeletal network.