Ursodeoxycholic acid inhibits interleukin 1 beta [corrected] and deoxycholic acid-induced activation of NF-kappaB and AP-1 in human colon cancer cells.

Deoxycholic acid (DCA) has been implicated in colorectal carcinogenesis in humans with effects on proliferation and apoptosis, mediated at least in part by activation of transcription factors nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), activator protein 1 (AP-1) and protein kinase C (PKC) enzymes. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is reported to reduce the frequency of colonic carcinogenesis in ulcerative colitis patients. Hence, we postulated that it might differ from DCA in its regulation of these transcription factors. The aim of the study was to determine effects of DCA and UDCA on NF-kappaB and AP-1 activation and explore its relationship to PKC. Human colonic tumour cell lines HCT116 were treated with DCA, UDCA, alone or pretreated with UDCA followed by DCA or IL-1beta. In other experiments, cells were pretreated with PKC inhibitors and then stimulated with DCA and IL-1beta or PMA. Gel shift assays were performed on nuclear extracts of the cells for NF-kappaB and AP-1 analysis. Western blot analyses and immunofluorescence were performed for Rel A (p65) and IkappaB-alpha levels on the treated cells. DCA increased NF-kappaB and AP-1 DNA binding. UDCA did not increase DNA binding of NF-kappaB and AP-1 and UDCA pretreatment inhibited DCA-induced NF-kappaB and AP-1 DNA binding. PKC inhibitors blocked DCA-induced NF-kappaB and AP-1 activation. These results were validated by Western blot analysis for RelA and IkappaB-alpha. In conclusion, UDCA did not induce NF-kappaB and AP-1 DNA binding but also blocked DCA-induced NF-kappaB and AP-1 activation. These findings suggest a possible mechanistic role for UDCA in blocking pathways thought to be involved in colon carcinogenesis.