Simvas
Simvastatin and tocopherol induce apoptosis in colon carcinoma cells
Yalda Arast
Instructor, Msc of Toxicology, Department of Occupational Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
Abstract: Apoptosis plays a significant role in tumor development and it has been hypothesized that lack/failure of apoptosis leads to the development of tumors, such as colon tumors. Thus, induction of apoptosis in tumor cells is an effective approach to the regulation of tumor growth. It has been shown that various chemo preventive agents induce apoptosis and inhibit tumor growth. Identification of agents or combinations of agents that induce tumor cell apoptosis help in the development of novel agents for colon cancer treatment. This study has been designed to assess the effectiveness of simvastatin, (a 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl-CoA reductive inhibitor), and alpha tocopherol (a micronutrient), individually or in combination on the induction of apoptosis in human HT29 colon cancer cells. HT29 cells were exposed to various doses of simvastatin and/or alpha tocopherol followed by DNA fragmentation method.Pretreatment with simvastatin (10-30 micro molar) induce apoptosis in HT29 cells at concentrations that have been studied. The same results were obtained with alpha tocopherol (5-20 micros molar). In combination, results obtained in this investigation showed significant results. In tumor cells that have been exposed to 10 micro molar simvastatin plus 5 and 10 micro molar tocopherol, cell death was not shown. According to the various mode of action and pleiotropic effects of statins in altering cell function and death, we postulate that the concentration of simvastatin is one of the most important parameter for selecting the type of action. These findings also support the hypothesis that HMGCoA-R and tocopheroles may play a role in regulation of apoptosis and provide effective strategies for the prevention of colon cancer.
[Yalda Arast. Simvastatin and tocopherol induce apoptosis in colon carcinoma cells. Life Sci J 2013;10(4s):62-64] (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 9
Keywords: Simvastatin; tocopherol; apoptosis; colon; carcinoma; cell
