Modulatory effects of quercetin on proliferation and differentiation of the human colorectal cell line Caco-2.
The effect of the dietary flavonoid quercetin was investigated on proliferation and differentiation of the human colon cancer cell line Caco-2. Confluent Caco-2 monolayers exposed to quercetin showed a biphasic effect on cell proliferation and a decrease in cell differentiation (0.001<P<0.05). During differentiation Caco-2 cells formed 5 phase II metabolites, of which the amount of 4'-O-methyl-quercetin-3'-O-glucuronide correlated with the differentiation grade (r=0.99, P<0.003). The increment of cell proliferation at low quercetin concentrations and the decrease in cell differentiation are effects opposite to what would be expected for a functional food ingredient with anti-carcinogenic potential.
Dihal
Ashwin A
AA
Physiological Sciences Department, TNO Quality of Life, Zeist, The Netherlands. dihal@voeding.tno.nl
Woutersen
Ruud A
RA
van Ommen
Ben
B
Rietjens
Ivonne M C M
IM
Stierum
Rob H
RH
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004355:Drug Stability; D006801:Humans; D011794:Quercetin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D011794:Quercetin