curcumin and Cystadenocarcinoma--Serous

Aberrant expression of potassium (K(+)) channels contributes to cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis, and K(+) channel blockers can inhibit cell proliferation. TREK-1 and -2 belong to the two-pore domain (K2P) superfamily. We report TREK-1 and -2 expression in ovarian cancer and normal ovaries, and the effects of TREK-1 modulators on cell proliferation and apoptosis.. The cellular localisation of TREK-1 and -2 was investigated by immunofluorescence in SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3 cell lines and in cultured ovarian surface epithelium and cancer. Channel expression in normal ovaries and cancer was quantified by western blotting. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated the association between channel expression and disease prognosis, stage, and grade. TREK-1 modulation of cell proliferation in the cell lines was investigated with the MTS-assay and the effect on apoptosis determined using flow cytometry.. Expression was identified in both cell lines, ovarian cancer (n = 22) and normal ovaries (n = 6). IHC demonstrated positive staining for TREK-1 and -2 in 95.7 % of tumours (n = 69) and 100 % of normal ovaries (n = 9). A reduction in cell proliferation (P < 0.05) was demonstrated at 96 h in SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3 cells incubated TREK-1 modulating agents. Curcumin caused a significant reduction in early apoptosis in SKOV-3 (P < 0.001) and OVCAR-3 (P < 0.0001) cells and a significant increase in late apoptosis in SKOV-3 (P < 0.01) and OVCAR-3 cells (P < 0.0001).. TREK-1 and -2 are expressed in normal ovaries and ovarian cancer. TREK-1 modulators have a significant effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis. We propose investigation of the therapeutic potential of TREK-1 blockers is warranted.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Biomarkers, Tumor; Blotting, Western; Case-Control Studies; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Curcumin; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous; Endometrial Neoplasms; Female; Flow Cytometry; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Grading; Ovarian Neoplasms; Ovary; Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain; Prognosis; Survival Rate

New curcumin derivatives are synthesized in order to improve chemical properties of curcumin. The aromatic ring glycosylation of curcumin provides more water-soluble compounds with a greater kinetic stability which is a fundamental feature for drug bioavailability. The glycosylation reaction is quite simple, low cost, with high yield and minimum waste. NMR data show that the ability of curcumin to coordinate metal ion, in particular Ga(III), is maintained in the synthesized products. Although the binding of glucose to curcumin reduces the cytotoxicity of the derivatives towards cisplatin (cDDP)-sensitive and -resistant human ovarian carcinoma cell lines, the compounds display a good selectivity since they are much less toxic against non-tumourigenic Vero cells. The combination of cDDP with the most active glycosyl-curcuminoid drug against both cDDP-sensitive and -resistant as well as against Vero cell lines is tested. The results show an improvement of cDDP efficacy with higher selectivity towards cancer cells than non-cancer cells. These studies indicate the need for developing new valid components of drug treatment protocols to cDDP-resistant cells as well.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Cell Line, Tumor; Chlorocebus aethiops; Cisplatin; Curcumin; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Ovarian Neoplasms; Vero Cells