title: Silibinin (Milk Thistle) potentiates ethanol-dependent hepatocellular carcinoma progression in male mice.
abstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a global health burden with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Silibinin, an antioxidant derived from the Milk Thistle plant (Silybum marianum), is reported to exert hepatoprotective and antitumorigenic effects in vitro and in vivo by suppressing oxidative stress and proliferation. Using a DEN-initiated mouse model of HCC, this study examined the effects of dietary silibinin supplementation alone, or in combination with chronic ethanol consumption on HCC progression. Our data demonstrate silibinin exerted marginal hepatoprotective effects in early stages of hepatocarcinogenesis but, when co-administered with ethanol, exacerbated the promotional effects of ethanol in HCC bearing mice, but only in males.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brandon-Warner
authors.forename: Ashley L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Eheim
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Foureau
authors.forename: Tracy L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Walling
authors.forename: Laura W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Schrum
authors.forename: Iain H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: McKillop
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D018450:Disease Progression; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D020944:Silybum marianum; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D000077385:Silybin; D012838:Silymarin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D047368:Tumor Burden / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D012838:Silymarin; D000431:Ethanol; D000077385:Silybin