Astaxanthin Inhibits PC-3 Xenograft Prostate Tumor Growth in Nude Mice

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCa), the most common malignancy in men, is a major cause of cancer deaths. A better understanding of the mechanisms that drive tumor initiation and progression may identify actionable targets to improve treatment of this patient group. As a dietary carotenoid, astaxanthin has been demonstrated to exert beneficial effects against inflammation, cardiovascular disease, oxidative damage, or different cancer sites. This study used intragastric administration of astaxanthin to detect its role on tumor proliferation, apoptosis, microRNA (miRNA) overexpression, and microbacteria composition change by establishing androgen-independent PCa cell PC-3 xenograft nude mice. Nude mice were inoculated with androgen-independent prostate cancer PC-3 cells subcutaneously. The intervention was started when tumors reached 0.5–0.6 cm in diameter. Mice were intragastrically administered 100 mg/kg astaxanthin (HA), 25 mg/kg astaxanthin (LA), or olive oil (TC). The results showed that 100 mg/kg astaxanthin significantly inhibited tumor growth compared to the TC group, with an inhibitory rate of 41.7%. A decrease of Ki67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) as well as an increase of cleaved caspase-3 were observed in HA-treated tumors, along with increasing apoptotic cells, obtained by TUNEL assay. The HA significantly elevated the levels of tumor suppressors miR-375 and miR-487b in tumor tissues and the amount of Lactobacillus sp. and Lachnospiraceae in mice stools, while there was no significant difference between LA and TC groups. These results provide a promising regimen to enhance the therapeutic effect in a dietary supplement manner.

The transient receptor potential vanilloid‐3 regulates hypoxia‐mediated pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells proliferation via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

“…After treating PASMCs with Ruthenium Red and siTRPV3 the increased effect of TRPV3 on cell viability was significantly decreased. Meanwhile, we measured the expression of PCNA, which was an essential substance in the DNA synthesis phase of eukaryotic cells and an important index for evaluating the status of cell proliferation . We found that the PCNA expression was up‐regulated on hypoxic condition, but the effect was reduced in the presence of Ruthenium Red and siTRPV3.…”

Astaxanthin inhibits hallmarks of cancer by targeting the PI3K/NF‐κΒ/STAT3 signalling axis in oral squamous cell carcinoma models

“…Experimental studies using cancer cell lines and preclinical animal tumour models have convincingly demonstrated the potent anti-proliferative and proapoptotic effects of AXT. 15,22,23,34 However, inconsistencies were also reported on the efficacy of AXT between cell-based assays and in vivo studies. The lack of consistency has been largely ascribed to the low bioavailability and weak targeting ability of AXT.…”

Chronic nonbacterial prostate inflammation in a rat model is associated with changes of gut microbiota that can be modified with a galactoglucomannan‐rich hemicellulose extract in the diet

“…Noteworthy, patients with BPH seem to have lower abundances of Lachnospiraceae compared to patients with prostate cancer . Further, increased levels of both faecal Lactobacillus and Lachnospiraceae have been shown to be associated with reduced prostate tumour in the mouse .…”