NADPH oxidases (NOX) are reactive oxygen species- (ROS-) generating enzymes regulating numerous redox-dependent signaling pathways. NOX are important regulators of cell differentiation, growth, and proliferation and of mechanisms, important for a wide range of processes from embryonic development, through tissue regeneration to the development and spread of cancer. In this review, we discuss the roles of NOX and NOX-derived ROS in the functioning of stem cells and cancer stem cells and in selected aspects of cancer cell physiology. Understanding the functions and complex activities of NOX is important for the application of stem cells in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and development of new therapies toward invasive forms of cancers.

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages worldwide. Coffee contains bioactive compounds that affect the human body such as caffeine, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acids, trigonelline, diterpenes, and melanoidins. Some of them have demonstrated potential anticarcinogenic effects in animal models and in human cell cultures, and may play a protective role against colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the USA and other countries. Dietary patterns, as well as the consumption of beverages, may reduce the risk of CRC incidence. In this review, we focus on published epidemiological studies concerning the association of coffee consumption and the risk of development of colorectal cancer, and provide a description of selected biologically active compounds in coffee that have been investigated as potential cancer-combating compounds: Caffeine, caffeic acid (CA), chlorogenic acids (CGAs), and kahweol in relation to colorectal cancer progression in in vitro settings. We review the impact of these substances on proliferation, viability, invasiveness, and metastasis, as well as on susceptibility to chemo- and radiotherapy of colorectal cancer cell lines cultured in vitro.

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Background Prostate cancer (PCa) is the first in terms of occurrence in Europe and second in Poland. The PCa risk factors include: genetic load, obesity, diet rich in fat, hypertriglyceridemia, and exposure to androgens. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level may be elevated in prostate cancer or other prostate disorders. Fat tissue secretes adipocytokines, which increase the risk of cancer development and metastasis. Objectives The aims of the study were to investigate the relationship between circulating levels of PSA, adipocytokines: omentin, leptin, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in serum obtained from patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa). Methods Forty patients diagnosed with BPH and forty diagnosed with PCa were assessed for the purpose of the study. The concentrations of omentin, leptin, HGF, and VEGF were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (EIA). Results PSA level was significantly higher in the PCa group than in BPH (18.2 versus 9 ng/mL, p < 0.01), while volume of prostate gland was significantly higher in the BPH group than in PCa (39.1 versus 31.1 cm3, p = 0.02). HGF, VEGF, omentin, and leptin concentrations were significantly higher in PCa group than in BPH (359.5 versus 294.9 pg/mL, p = 0.04; 179.3 versus 127.3 pg/mL, p < 0.01; 478.8 versus 408.3 ng/mL, p = 0.01; 15.7 versus 11.2 ng/mL, p = 0.02, resp.). The multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that only omentin and PSA levels were independent predictors of PCa in studied subjects. Conclusions PSA level as well as the level of omentin may be valuable markers of PCa with clinical significance, when compared to PSA.

Background Among adipose-derived factors, adipocytokines play roles as hormones and signaling mediators for apoptotic pathway. Among of them, vaspin, regulates the metabolism of adipose tissue itself as an endocrine organ, and stimulates adipocytes to maturation, differentiation, etc. Damaged adipocytes, present in obesity and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) respond with over-production of inflammatory cytokines. Such pro-inflammatory stimulation remains under adipokine control. Pro-inflammatory pathways are connected to oxidative stress and apoptosis, reported as co-existing with an elevated level of some adipokines in cancer cell lines. However, some hormones, such as vaspin, reduce apoptosis, have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative roles in cancer cell lines. Methods Hep-3B cells were cytometrically evaluated under vaspin treatment for reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosiss induction. The statistical significant changes to the untreated controls was calculated by T-tests (indicated at value p < 0.05). Results Here we studied the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in cells of HCC line Hep-3B after vaspin treatment. A decreased level of nitric oxide and superoxide anion 24 h after vaspin addition at 5 ng/ml was correlated with restricted, to the physiological level, apoptosis. A protective role of vaspin was displayed as enhanced cell viability and proliferation, which could be a poor prognostic in liver cancer. Conclusions Apoptosis was suppressed after vaspin treatment, together with low levels of nitric oxide and superoxide anions.