title: Reduced growth of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in creatine depleted mice fed beta-guanidinopropionic acid.
abstract: The effect of implantation of Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) cells on creatine distribution was investigated. It was also studied how depletion of creatine by feeding creatine-analogue beta-guanidinopropionic acid (beta-GPA) affects the growth of EAT cells in mice. Enhanced mobilization of creatine from host tissues to EAT cells against a greater concentration gradient was observed. The creatine (but not creatinine) level in blood plasma was lowered to 22% of the normal value by beta-GPA feeding alone and assimilation of 14C-creatine into EAT cells was inhibited. The growth of EAT cells was significantly reduced and the duration of survival of mice after implantation of EAT cells was extended when the creatine concentration was decreased. A decrease in daily food consumption and the degree of muscle atrophy after implantation of EAT cells was less in beta-GPA than control groups. In the creatine-depleted mice, the rate of increase in total EAT cell number and the volume of abdominal ascites were approximately half of the control values, and more dead EAT cells were observed. These results suggest that supplementation of beta-GPA inhibits creatine transfer to EAT cells and reduces the growth of cancer cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biomechanics, National Institute of Fitness and Sports, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ohira
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ishine
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yunoki
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001284:Atrophy; D002286:Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003401:Creatine / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003404:Creatinine / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D004435:Eating; D006146:Guanidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D011422:Propionates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D006146:Guanidines; D011422:Propionates; D003404:Creatinine; D003401:Creatine; C005775:guanidinopropionic acid