Peptide YY augments gross inhibition by vitamin E succinate of human pancreatic cancer cell growth.

Background: Vitamin E succinate (VES) significantly inhibits cell growth in vitro in breast, prostate, and skin cancer cell lines. Our study demonstrated similar inhibitory effects on Mia PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells at the same concentration of VES (10 pg/ml). Peptide YY (PYY) also inhibits pancreatic cancer cell growth in vitro. We observed a significant additive effect on growth inhibition in Mia PaCa cells treated with both VES and PYY.

Methods: Human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma Mia PaCa-2 cells were cultured and treated once with either 10 pg/ml of VES or 500 pmols of PYY or with both agents together. The control group received an equivalent volume of solvents. MTT assay was performed at 24, 48, and 72 h to evaluate cell viability.

Results: Pancreatic cancer cell growth was reduced in all groups treated with PYY and VES. Student's t test was used to analyze the data for each treatment group. At 72 h, both PYY and vitamin E significantly inhibited cell growth compared to control. Combining the agents resulted in a dramatic additive inhibition of growth.

Conclusion: PYY and vitamin E both inhibit growth of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro with a significant increase in effect when used in combination.