title: Growth-inhibitory effects of a mineralized extract from the red marine algae, Lithothamnion calcareum, on Ca(2+)-sensitive and Ca(2+)-resistant human colon carcinoma cells.
abstract: Proliferation and differentiation were assessed in a series of human colon carcinoma cell lines in response to a mineral-rich extract derived from the red marine algae, Lithothamnion calcareum. The extract contains 12% Ca2+, 1% Mg2+, and detectable amounts of 72 trace elements, but essentially no organic material. The red algae extract was as effective as inorganic Ca2+ alone in suppressing growth and inducing differentiation of colon carcinoma cells that are responsive to a physiological level of extracellular Ca2+ (1.4mM). However, with cells that are resistant to Ca2+ alone, the extract was still able to reduce proliferation and stimulate differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, 1301 Catherine Street, SPC 5602, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Muhammad Nadeem
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Aslam
authors.forename: Narasimharao
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bhagavathula
authors.forename: Tejaswi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Paruchuri
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Subhas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chakrabarty
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Varani
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D045424:Complex Mixtures / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D000461:Rhodophyta / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D045424:Complex Mixtures; D006131:Growth Inhibitors