Lovastatin, but not orlistat, reduces intestinal polyp volume in an ApcMin/+ mouse model.

The statins, inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCoAR) and orlistat, an inhibitor of fatty acid synthase (FAS), inhibit tumor cell growth by restricting cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis, respectively. We previously demonstrated that an omega (ω)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)- or olive oil-enriched diet reduced the polyp number and volume in ApcMin/+ mice. This phenomenon was associated with a significant inhibition of FAS and HMGCoAR, as well as an increase in the estrogen receptor (ER)β/α ratio.

Transient GFER knockdown in vivo impairs liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy.

Background And Aims: Augmenter of Liver Regeneration is a protein encoded by the Growth Factor Erv1-Like gene. Its biological properties are crucial for cell survival since knock-out mice for Growth Factor Erv1-Like gene do not survive. In this study, we injected hepatotropic adenoviral particles harboring oligonucleotide sequences against Growth Factor Erv1-Like gene into 70% partially hepatectomized rats and studied the effect of gene silencing on the progression liver regeneration.

Dietary-suppression of hepatic lipogenic enzyme expression in intact male transgenic mice.

Aim: To study, in intact male transgenic mice, the effects of three diets based on olive oil and olive oil diet supplemented with lovastatin and orlistat on hepatic lipogenic enzymes expression, considered markers of cell proliferation.

Methods: Forty Apc(Min/+) mice were randomly divided into 4 groups and fed for 10 wk: olive oil (OO) group, n = 10 animals received a diet with olive oil 12%; olive oil plus lovastatin (LOVA) group, n = 10 animals received the same diet with olive oil supplemented with lovastatin 5 mg/kg; olive oil plus orlistat (OR) group, n = 10 animals fed the diet with olive oil supplemented with orlistat 50 mg/kg and SD group, n = 10 animals fed a standard diet. The activity of lipogenic enzymes and their gene expression were evaluated by radiometric and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay, respectively.