[Effects of phytoestrogens on gap junctional intercellular communication].
OBJECTIVE
To observe effects of phytoestrogens quercetin (QC), Genistein (GEN), coumestrol (COM), and enterolactone (ENL) on gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in HaCaT cells.


METHODS
HaCaT cells were exposed to QC, GEN, COM, and ENL at 0.1, 1.0, 10.0 and 100.0 micromol/L for 24 hours. The effects of phytoestrogens on GJIC were determined by fluorescence redistribution after photobleaching (FRAP) technique of using a laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM).


RESULTS
QC did not affect the GJIC at 0.1-10.0 micromol/L, whereas, GEN, COM, and ENL exhibited inhibition on the GJIC in some extent at 0.1-10.0 micromol/L without showing significant cytotoxicity. The ratio of fluorescence recovery were between 31.77% to 37.06%, which were significantly decreased compared the vehicle control (44.74%).


CONCLUSIONS
The phytoestrogens GEN, COM, and ENL, but not QC, could inhibit the GJIC function in HaCaT cells at concentrations could be reached in human serum in some instance, indicating they could, under certain conditions, be cancer promoters. Therefore, it should be prudent to use these chemicals as pharmaceuticals or dietary supplements.
Yan
Ji-cheng
JC
Department of Toxicology, Medical College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310031, China.
Zheng
Ji-yan
JY
Zheng
Yi-fan
YF
Zeng
Qun-li
QL
Zhu
Hui-juan
HJ
Zhu
Xin-qiang
XQ
D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D003375:Coumestrol / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D019833:Genistein / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011794:Quercetin / Q000494:pharmacology
D048789:Phytoestrogens; D011794:Quercetin; D019833:Genistein; D003375:Coumestrol