title: Reciprocal effects of ascorbate on cancer cell growth and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases and transforming growth factor-beta.
abstract: Cancer is associated with increased cell growth, and expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). The dose-dependent effects of ascorbate (Vitamin C) on cancer cell growth, and expression of MMPs and TGF-beta were examined. Renal-adenocarcinoma, melanoma and mammary cancer cells were dosed with 0-100mM ascorbate and examined for cell survival or proliferation, and expression of MMP-1, MMP-2 and TGF-beta at protein and/or mRNA levels. The lower concentrations of ascorbate significantly inhibited cancer cell viability while stimulating MMPs and TGF-beta expression, indicating elimination of cancer cells with damage to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Conversely, ascorbate at higher concentrations dramatically stimulated cell proliferation and inhibited MMPs and TGF-beta expression, implicating growth and ECM advantage.
authors.affiliation: Georgian Court University, Lakewood, NJ 08701, USA. nphilips@fdu.edu
authors.forename: Neena
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Philips
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Holmes
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1; D001205:Ascorbic Acid