Lovastatin, but not orlistat, reduces intestinal polyp volume in an ApcMin/+ mouse model.
The statins, inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCoAR) and orlistat, an inhibitor of fatty acid synthase (FAS), inhibit tumor cell growth by restricting cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis, respectively. We previously demonstrated that an omega (ω)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)- or olive oil-enriched diet reduced the polyp number and volume in ApcMin/+ mice. This phenomenon was associated with a significant inhibition of FAS and HMGCoAR, as well as an increase in the estrogen receptor (ER)β/α ratio. Herein, we evaluated the effect of lovastatin and orlistat on polyp development and ER expression in ApcMin/+ mice, in order to confirm previous data obtained with ω‑3-PUFAs and olive oil. As expected, the use of lovastatin and orlistat significantly reduced HMGCoAR and FAS enzymatic activities and gene expression in colonic tissues, but did not affect the number of intestinal polyps, while there was a statistically significant reduction in polyp volume only in the mouse group treated with lovastatin. In the mice receiving orlistat, we observed a significant increase in cell proliferation in the polyp tissue, as well as enhanced expression of ERα. Moreover, the overexpression of ERα was associated with a statistically significant increase in PES1, Shh and Gli1 protein levels, considered ERα-related molecular targets.
Laboratory of Nutritional Biochemistry, National Institute for Digestive Diseases 'S. de Bellis', Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy.
Maria
M
Notarnicola
Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Michele
M
Barone
Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Antonio
A
Francavilla
Laboratory of Nutritional Biochemistry, National Institute for Digestive Diseases 'S. de Bellis', Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy.
Valeria
V
Tutino
Animal Facility, National Institute for Digestive Diseases 'S. de Bellis', Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy.
Giusy
G
Bianco
Animal Facility, National Institute for Digestive Diseases 'S. de Bellis', Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy.
Angela
A
Tafaro
Animal Facility, National Institute for Digestive Diseases 'S. de Bellis', Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy.
Mario
M
Minoia
Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Lorenzo
L
Polimeno
Pathology Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Anna
A
Napoli
Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Maria Principia
MP
Scavo
Laboratory of Nutritional Biochemistry, National Institute for Digestive Diseases 'S. de Bellis', Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy.
Maria Gabriella
MG
Caruso
D000818:Animals; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000235:genetics; D064429:Fatty Acid Synthases / Q000235:genetics; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D007417:Intestinal Polyps / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D007783:Lactones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D000069463:Olive Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077403:Orlistat; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D000071676:Zinc Finger Protein GLI1 / Q000235:genetics
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; C498520:Gli1 protein, mouse; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D007783:Lactones; D000069463:Olive Oil; C484464:Pes1 protein, mouse; D011506:Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; C465570:Shh protein, mouse; D000071676:Zinc Finger Protein GLI1; D000077403:Orlistat; D008148:Lovastatin; D064429:Fatty Acid Synthases