Fabio Vivarelli1, Donatella Canistro2, Paola Franchi3, Andrea Sapone4, Andrea Vornoli5, Clara Della Croce6, Vincenzo Longo6, Marco Lucarini3, Moreno Paolini4. 1. Molecular and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma-Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: fabio.vivarelli3@unibo.it. 2. Molecular and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma-Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: donatella.canistro@unibo.it. 3. Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", Alma-Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy. 4. Molecular and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma-Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy. 5. Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy. 6. Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, CNR, via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Abstract
AIMS: A large meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials has seriously questioned chemoprevention based on vitamins including vitamin E (VE), and an increased risk for cancer among long-term users was actually seen. However, the mechanism underlying these findings still remain unknown. To clarify the mechanism, in an in vivo model we studied the putative disruption of redox homeostasis and the perturbation of carcinogen metabolizing enzymes determined by VE. MAIN METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated ip with either 100 or 200mg/kg b.w. daily for 7 or 14 consecutive days. Controls received vehicle only. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) content, CYP-reductase, CYP-linked monooxygenases, as well as phase-II and the antioxidant enzymes catalase and NAD(P)H: quinone reductase were investigated in both liver and kidney. Free radical species in tissue subcellular preparations were measured by electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy coupled to a radical probe technique. KEY FINDINGS: No substantial changes of hepatic xenobiotic metabolism enzymes were determined by VE. Conversely, a powerful booster effect of various renal phase-I carcinogen bioactivating enzymes at both dosages and observational times was recorded. While no relevant changes of post-oxidative phase-II reactions were found in the liver, a significant inactivating effect was caused by VE in renal tissues. Antioxidant enzymes were found mainly downregulated by the treatment. In the kidney, a marked free radical over-generation linked to CYP induction was observed. SIGNIFICANCE: This study proved that VE acts as a co-carcinogen and pro-oxidant agent. Such epigenetic mechanisms may contribute to explain the harmful outcomes observed in humans.
AIMS: A large meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials has seriously questioned chemoprevention based on vitamins including vitamin E (VE), and an increased risk for cancer among long-term users was actually seen. However, the mechanism underlying these findings still remain unknown. To clarify the mechanism, in an in vivo model we studied the putative disruption of redox homeostasis and the perturbation of carcinogen metabolizing enzymes determined by VE. MAIN METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated ip with either 100 or 200mg/kg b.w. daily for 7 or 14 consecutive days. Controls received vehicle only. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) content, CYP-reductase, CYP-linked monooxygenases, as well as phase-II and the antioxidant enzymes catalase and NAD(P)H: quinone reductase were investigated in both liver and kidney. Free radical species in tissue subcellular preparations were measured by electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy coupled to a radical probe technique. KEY FINDINGS: No substantial changes of hepatic xenobiotic metabolism enzymes were determined by VE. Conversely, a powerful booster effect of various renal phase-I carcinogen bioactivating enzymes at both dosages and observational times was recorded. While no relevant changes of post-oxidative phase-II reactions were found in the liver, a significant inactivating effect was caused by VE in renal tissues. Antioxidant enzymes were found mainly downregulated by the treatment. In the kidney, a marked free radical over-generation linked to CYP induction was observed. SIGNIFICANCE: This study proved that VE acts as a co-carcinogen and pro-oxidant agent. Such epigenetic mechanisms may contribute to explain the harmful outcomes observed in humans.