Curcumin's effect on intestinal inflammation and tumorigenesis in the ApcMin/+ mouse.
Curcumin's benefits on tumorigenesis are thought to be mediated by its antiinflammatory activity; however, these effects have not been well characterized in a mouse model of colon cancer. We examined the effects of curcumin on intestinal inflammation in the Apc(Min/+) mouse. Apc(Min/+) mice were given a placebo or curcumin (2%) diet from 4 to 18 weeks of age (n = 10/group). C57BL/6 mice were used as a wild-type control (n = 10/group). Intestines were analyzed for polyp burden (sections 1, 4, and 5) and for mRNA expression, and concentration of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) (sections 2 and 3). Plasma was collected for concentration of CCL2. Curcumin decreased total intestinal polyps by 75% (P < 0.05) in all size categories [>2 mm (65%), 1-2 mm (72%), <1 mm (82%); P < 0.05]. mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and CCL2 was elevated (P < 0.05) and curcumin blunted this increase (P < 0.05). Protein concentration of IL-1β, IL-6 (section 3), and CCL2 was increased (P < 0.05) and curcumin reduced this response for IL-1β (section 2) and CCL2 (P < 0.05). Curcumin also offset the increase in plasma CCL2 (P < 0.05). The benefits of curcumin in colon cancer may be at least in part mediated by its antiinflammatory activity.
Department of Pathology Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29209, USA. murphye@mailbox.sc.edu
E Angela
EA
Murphy
J Mark
JM
Davis
Jamie L
JL
McClellan
Benjamin T
BT
Gordon
Martin D
MD
Carmichael
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D007249:Inflammation; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D011897:Random Allocation
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016207:Cytokines; D003474:Curcumin