title: Effects of anandamide on polyamine levels and cell growth in human colon cancer cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anandamide (AEA) is an endogenous agonist for cannabinoid receptor CB1-R and seems to be involved in the control of cancer growth. Polyamines are compounds that play an important role in cell proliferation and differentiation. Our aim was to investigate the effect of AEA on the polyamine levels (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) and cell growth of three human colon cancer cell lines, positive for CB1-R.
  
  
  METHODS
  After AEA treatment of DLD-1, HT-29 and SW620 cells, polyamine analysis was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and cell growth was measured by 3-(4,5 di-methylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. CB1 gene expression was determined using reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  AEA significantly reduced polyamine levels and cell proliferation dose-dependently when the tested cell lines were exposed for 24 h and 48 h. This inhibitory effect was mediated by CB1-R, since SR 1411716A, a selective CB-1 receptor antagonist, was able to entirely antagonize the effect of AEA. CB1-R mRNA levels were enhanced after AEA treatment in DLD-1 cells, whereas no induction was found in HT-29 and SW620 cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It appears that mechanisms by which AEA may affect growth of colon cancer cells involve a decrease in cell proliferation rate by reducing the polyamine levels.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemistry, National Institute for Digestive Diseases, Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Linsalata
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Notarnicola
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tutino
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bifulco
authors.forename: Antonietta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laezza
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Messa
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Orlando
authors.forename: Maria Gabriella
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Caruso
mesh_terms: D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015317:Biogenic Polyamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D048708:Cell Growth Processes / Q000187:drug effects; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D019073:HT29 Cells; D006801:Humans; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000819:agonists / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D015317:Biogenic Polyamines; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; C078814:anandamide