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Effects of a combination of docosahexaenoic acid and 1,4-phenylene bis(methylene) selenocyanate on cyclooxygenase 2, inducible nitric oxide synthase and beta-catenin pathways in colon cancer cells.

Epidemiological and preclinical studies suggest that diets that are rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and selenium (Se) reduce the risk of colon cancer. Studies conducted in our laboratory have indicated that synthetic organoselenium 1,4-phenylene bis(methylene) selenocyanate (p-XSC) is less toxic and more effective than inorganic Se and selenomethionine, the major Se compound in natural selenium yeast. Through cDNA microarray analysis, we have demonstrated earlier that the n-3 PUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), modulated more than one signaling pathway by altering several genes involved in colon cancer growth. There is increasing interest in the use of combinations of low doses of chemopreventive agents that differ in their specific modes of action as this approach can minimize toxicity and increase efficacy in model assays. In the present study we assessed the efficacy of DHA and p-XSC individually and in combination at low doses in CaCo-2 colon cancer cells, using cell growth inhibition and apoptosis as measures of chemopreventive efficacy. On the basis of western blot and RT-PCR analysis, we also determined the effects of DHA and p-XSC on the levels of expression of cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclin D1, beta-catenin and nuclear factor kappaB, all of which presumably participate in colon carcinogenesis. A 48 h incubation of CaCo-2 cells with 5 microM each DHA or p-XSC induced cell growth inhibition and apoptosis and altered the expression of the above molecular parameters. Interestingly, the modulation of these cellular and molecular parameters was more pronounced in cells treated with low doses of DHA and p-XSC (2.5 microM each) in combination than in cells treated with these agents individually at higher concentrations (5.0 microM each). These findings are viewed as highly significant since they will provide the basis for the development of combinations of low dose regimens of DHA and p-XSC in preclinical models against colon carcinogenesis and, ultimately, in human clinical trials.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Simultaneous removal of SO2 and trace SeO2 from flue gas: effect of product layer on mass transfer.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and trace elements are all pollutants derived from coal combustion. This study relates to the simultaneous removal of sulfur and trace selenium dioxide (SeO2) by calcium oxide (CaO) adsorption in the medium temperature range, especially the mass transfer effect of sulfate product layer on trace elements. Through experiments on CaO adsorbing different concentrations of SO2 gases, conclusions can be drawn that although the product layer introduces extra mass transfer resistance into the sorbent-gas reaction process, the extent of CaO adsorption ability loss due to this factor decreases with decreasing SO2 concentration. When the gas concentration is at trace level, the loss of CaO adsorption ability can be neglected. Subsequent experiments on CaO adsorbing trace SeO2 gas suggest that the sulfate product layer, whether it is thick or thin, has no obvious effect on the CaO ability to adsorb trace SeO2 gas.

Adsorption↗

Selenium speciation in enriched and natural samples by HPLC-ICP-MS and HPLC-ESI-MS with perfluorinated carboxylic acid ion-pairing agents.

Selenium-enriched plants, such as hyperaccumulative phytoremediation plants (Astragalus praleongus, 517 micrograms g-1 Se, and Brassica juncea, 138 micrograms g-1 Se in dry sample), yeast (1200, 1922 and 2100, micrograms g-1 Se in dry sample), ramp (Allium tricoccum, 48, 77, 230, 252, 405 and 524 micrograms g-1 Se in dry sample), onion (Allium cepa, 96 and 140 micrograms g-1 Se in dry sample) and garlic (Allium sativum, 68, 112, 135, 296, 1355 micrograms g-1 Se in dry sample) were analyzed by HPLC-ICP-MS for their selenium content and speciation after hot water and enzymatic extractions. Reference samples with natural selenium levels, such as onion and garlic controls, cooking garlic powder, baking yeast powder and a commercial garlic supplement were also analyzed. Selected samples were also examined by HPLC-electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS. HPLC was mostly carried out with 0.1% heptafluorobutanoic acid (HFBA) as ion-pairing agent in 1 + 99 v/v methanol-water solution, but 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in 1 + 99 v/v methanol-water solution was also utilized to permit chromatography for compounds that did not elute with HFBA. More than 75% of the total eluting selenium compounds, based upon element specific detection, were identified from retention time data and standard spiking experiments, and between 60 and 85% of compounds were identified by MS, with up to 25% of the total eluting molecular selenium species being unidentified as yet. Limits of quantification (LOQ, defined as the concentration giving an S/N of 10) for HPLC-ICP-MS were in the range 2-50 ng mL-1 Se in the injected extracts for the selenium-enriched samples and 2-10 ng mL-1 Se for the natural selenium level samples. LOQ values for HPLC-ESI-MS were ca. 100 times higher than those measured by HPLC-ICP-MS.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Mechanisms in the chemoprevention of colon cancer: modulation of protein kinase C, tyrosine protein kinase and diacylglycerol kinase activities by 1,4-phenylenebis-(methylene)selenocyanate and impact of low-fat diet.

Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest an inverse relationship between the intake of dietary selenium and/or low fat-intake and colon cancer risk. Efficacy studies in rodents suggest that the organoselenium compound 1, 4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanate (p-XSC), is a more effective and less toxic chemopreventive agent than other organic or inorganic selenium compounds such as selenomethionine and Na2SeO3. The efficacy of p-XSC against colon cancer is significantly augmented by a low-fat diet. To explore the mechanisms by which this combined inhibiting effect against colon carcinogenesis comes about, we have investigated protein kinase C (PKC), tyrosine protein kinase (TPK), diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) activities and 8-isoprostane levels in colonic mucosa and tumor tissues in an azoxymethane (AOM)-induced rat colon cancer model. Weanling male F344 rats were fed the semipurified AIN-76A diet until seven weeks of age. Then various experimental groups were fed the low- or high-fat diets containing 0 or 20 ppm p-XSC (10 ppm as selenium). At seven weeks of age, groups of rats were injected s.c. with azoxymethane (AOM; 15 mg/kg body wt., once weekly for 2 weeks) and continued on their respective experimental diets until 38 weeks after the second AOM treatment. They were then sacrificed and colonic mucosal and tumor samples were evaluated for PKC, TPK, DGK and 8-isoprostane levels. Administration of p-XSC along with a low-fat diet significantly inhibited Ca+2-dependent and -independent PKC (P<0.05-0.01) activities in colonic mucosa and tumors. Administration of p-XSC either low-fat or high-fat diet significantly suppressed both colonic mucosal and tumor TPK activity (P<0.05-0.01). Suppression of TPK activity was more pronounced in rats maintained on a low-fat diet containing p-XSC. In contrast, rats receiving p-XSC with either low- or high fat diet showed significantly increased DGK activity (P<0.01-0.0001). Rats fed low-fat or high-fat plus p-XSC had lower-levels of 8-isoprostane in the colonic tumors than animals who had been given low- or high-fat diets without the organoselenium compound. Interestingly, 8-isoprostane levels were lower in the colon tumors of the rats fed the low-fat diet than those fed the high-fat diet. Our findings suggest that p-XSC induced down-regulation of PKC and TPK activities and up-regulation of DGK activity. These events may in part be responsible for the chemopreventive activity against colon carcinogenesis. Further, this study implies that p-XSC with a low-fat dietary regimen will augment regulation of PKC, TPK and DGK activities in the colon.

Animals↗

Astragalus bisulcatus--a cause of selenium or locoweed poisoning?

Certain plants accumulate selenium at levels that render them toxic. One of the principle groups of selenium-accumulating plants is the selenium-accumulating Astragalus. Reports in early literature suggest that selenium is the only toxin in these plants. Sheep fed Astragalus bisulcatus, a selenium-accumulating plant, had signs similar to those observed in locoweed poisoning, and the microscopic lesions from tissues collected from these sheep were similar to those of locoweed poisoning rather than selenium poisoning. This suggests this group of plants contains toxin compounds in addition to selenium.

Animals↗

Selenium and the thioredoxin redox system: effects on cell growth and death.

Thioredoxin is a redox protein found overexpressed in some human tumors. Thioredoxin is secreted by tumor cells and enhances the sensitivity of the cancer cells to other growth factors. Redox activity is essential for stimulation of cell growth by thioredoxin. Cells transfected with thioredoxin cDNA show increased tumor growth and decreased apoptosis in vivo and decreased sensitivity to apoptosis induced by a variety of agents both in vitro and in vivo. Cells transfected with a redox-inactive mutant thioredoxin show inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Dietary selenium has been shown to prevent some forms of human cancer. Selenocysteine is an essential component of thioredoxin reductase, the flavoenzyme that is responsible for the reduction of thioredoxin. Selenium added to the culture medium increases thioredoxin reductase activity due to an increase in thioredoxin reductase protein but mostly due to an increase in the specific activity of the enzyme. Some diaryl chalcogenide (selenium and tellurium) compounds have been studied as inhibitors of thioredoxin reductase. The most active were diaryl tellurium compounds, which were noncompetitive inhibitors of thioredoxin reductase with Ki values of 2-10 microM. Several of the compounds inhibited cancer cell colony formation in vitro with IC50s as low as 2 microM.

Apoptosis↗

Chemoprevention of colon cancer by a glutathione conjugate of 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanate, a novel organoselenium compound with low toxicity.

We have consistently shown that several synthetic Organoselenium compounds are superior cancer chemopreventive agents and less toxic than selenite or certain naturally occurring selenoamino acids. 1,4-Phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanate (p-XSC) is the lead Organoselenium compound in that it has been shown to be the most effective and the least toxic agent in several experimental cancer models. It is not known whether p-XSC or one of its metabolites is responsible for its chemopreventive efficacy. As an initial step, we synthesized one of its putative metabolites, i.e., the glutathione conjugate of p-XSC (p-XSe-SG), and determined its stability in the pH range from 2 to 8 and in the diet under normal feeding conditions. We also assessed its maximum tolerated dose and examined its chemopreventive efficacy against azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon carcinogenesis in male F344 rats. p-XSe-SG proved to be very stable over the pH range tested. The maximum tolerated dose of p-XSe-SG determined in a 6-week subchronic toxicity study was found to be >210 ppm (>40 ppm selenium) when the compound was added to AIN-76A high-fat diet. To assess the efficacy of this agent in the postinitiation period of colon carcinogenesis, male F344 rats 6 weeks of age were fed the high-fat diet, and at beginning of weeks 7 and 8, all of the rats intended for carcinogen treatment were given AOM at a dose of 15 mg/kg body weight by s.c. injection. Two days after the carcinogen treatment, the groups of rats consuming the high-fat control diet began their respective high-fat experimental diet regimens with 0, 56, or 84 ppm p-XSe-SG (0.1, 10, and 15 ppm of selenium) supplementation. All animals continued on their respective diets for 38 weeks after the AOM-treatment and were then killed. Colon tumors were evaluated histologically using routine procedures and were also analyzed for cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 expression and enzymatic activities. The results indicate that p-XSeSG administered during the post-initiation stage significantly inhibited both the incidence (P < 0.05-0.01) and the multiplicity (P < 0.05-0.005) of AOM-induced colon adenocarcinomas. This agent also greatly suppressed the multiplicity (P < 0.01-0.001) of AOM-induced exophytic adenocarcinomas in a dose-dependent manner. Feeding of 56 or 84 ppm p-XSe-SG in the diet significantly suppressed total COX activity (P < 0.02 to -0.01) and COX-2 specific activity (P < 0.005-0.0005) but had minimal effect on the protein expression levels of COX-1 and COX-2. These results suggest that the newly developed synthetic Organoselenium compound, p-XSe-SG, is stable in the diet and at wide pH ranges, inhibits colon carcinogenesis when administered during the postinitiation stage, and inhibits COX activity. Compared with previous efficacy studies and considering the toxicity associated with selenium, p-XSe-SG seems to be the least toxic Organoselenium chemopreventive agent thus far tested in the experimental colon carcinogenesis. Studies are in progress to delineate whether p-XSe-SG is also effective when administered during the progression stage of colon carcinogenesis.

Animals↗

Selenium redox cycling in the protective effects of organoselenides against oxidant-induced DNA damage.

The biological role of selenium is a subject of intense current interest, and the antioxidant activity of selenoenzymes is now known to be dependent upon redox cycling of selenium within their active sites. Exogenously supplied or metabolically generated organoselenium compounds, capable of propagating a selenium redox cycle, might therefore supplement natural cellular defenses against the oxidizing agents generated during metabolism. We now report evidence that selenium redox cycling can enhance the protective effects of organoselenium compounds against oxidant-induced DNA damage. Phenylaminoethyl selenides were found to protect plasmid DNA from peroxynitrite-mediated damage by scavenging this powerful cellular oxidant and forming phenylaminoethyl selenoxides as the sole selenium-containing products. The redox properties of these organoselenoxide compounds were investigated, and the first redox potentials of selenoxides in the literature are reported here. Rate constants were determined for the reactions of the selenoxides with cellular reductants such as glutathione (GSH). These kinetic data were then used in a MatLab simulation, which showed the feasibility of selenium redox cycling by GSH in the presence of the cellular oxidant, peroxynitrite. Experiments were then carried out in which peroxynitrite-mediated plasmid DNA nick formation in the presence or absence of organoselenium compounds and GSH was monitored. The results demonstrate that GSH-mediated redox cycling of selenium enhances the protective effects of phenylaminoethyl selenides against peroxynitrite-induced DNA damage.

Antioxidants↗

Semisynthesis of new sarcophine derivatives with chemopreventive activity.

The natural cembranolide sarcophine (3) and its lactone ring-opened analogue (10) were oxidized using selenium dioxide under different reaction temperatures to prepare hydroxylated derivatives. Nine new compounds were obtained, six of them targeted hydroxylated derivatives. The determination of regio- and stereochemistry as well as the mechanistic considerations on the selectivity observed in these reactions are discussed on the basis of 2D NMR and molecular modeling. In preliminary in vitro tests on inhibition of EBV-EA activation, compounds 10 and 12-15 have shown higher activity than the known chemopreventive agent sarcophytol A.

4-Butyrolactone↗

Determination of dissolved selenium species in environmental water samples using isotope dilution mass spectrometry.

In order to clarify the species composition of selenium in environmental water samples, analytical methods have been developed for the selective determination of different chemical forms of this element (selenite, selenate, and organic species including trimethylselenonium) using isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS). The species analysis was made possible by means of chromatographic separation procedures and an 82Se-enriched selenate, selenite, and trimethylselenonium spike for the isotope dilution process. The total selenium concentration was determined after decomposition of organic compounds with a HNO3/HCIO4 mixture. Selenium was measured in the mass spectrometer by producing negative Se- thermal ions for detection. Precise determination at the parts-per-trillion level was achieved. This new methodology was applied to different types of natural water samples (groundwater, pond water, river water, moorland lake water) with total selenium concentrations in the range of 200 pg/g to 15 ng/g. Selenite and selenate have been the only detected species in most of the investigated samples, with selenate dominating all except one. In samples with high contents of dissolved organic carbon, however, different organoselenium compounds including trimethylselenonium ions were additionally quantified in the range of 10-95 pg/g. In these cases, the sum of all selenium species agreed well with the independently determined total element concentration.

Mass Spectrometry↗

Specific binding proteins for selenium in rat tissues.

The preventive and therapeutic potential of selenium (Se), a micronutrient, against cancer has been well documented in several test systems, but the mechanism of its action is not known. The possibility that Se might function in a manner similar to steroid hormones and retinoids through mediation of cellular receptors was examined. A specific 2S cellular binding protein (SeBP) for Na2[75Se]O3 was detected in rat tissue extracts. Liver and intestine exhibited highest levels of SeBP, and heart, uterus and spleen had the lowest levels. Oral administration of Na2[75Se]O3 to rats resulted in its uptake by the tissues with concomitant appearance of [75Se]SeBP complex. The protein binds sodium selenite with moderately high affinity; the apparent dissociation constant was determined by Scatchard analysis to be 1.1 X 10(-7) M. SeBP focused at pH 5.3 upon isoelectric focusing in ampholines of pH 3-10. Competitive binding affinity studies with unlabeled test compounds revealed that selenium dioxide and selenocystine showed high binding affinity (90-95%) for the selenite-binding site on SeBP. Sodium selenate, elemental Se powder, and selenomethionine, however, showed poor competition with sodium selenite. Biological activity of the above selenocompounds, as expressed by others, correlate with their binding affinities for SeBP. Sodium sulfite showed 35% inhibition of Na2[75Se]O3 binding, but sulfate showed none. Two ultimate carcinogens, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, and two retinoids, retinol and retinoic acid, showed less than 10% inhibition of binding. Interaction of Se with SeBP is completely blocked by thiol inhibitors. Plasma transport of Na2[75Se]O3 is mediated by a protein with a mol. wt of 68,000, which is presently identified, by immunoprecipitation studies as well as by Affi-Gel Blue column chromatographic experiments, as serum albumin. The results suggest that the plasma transport of Se is facilitated by albumin, and that the intracellular transport of Se for its biological functions is accomplished by SeBP.

Animals↗

Evaluation of organoselenium compounds for potential chemopreventive properties in colon cancer.

Our previous studies have demonstrated that dietary benzylselenocyanate (BSC) and 1,4-phenylenebis (methylene) selenocyanate (p-XSC); organoselenium compounds, act as potential chemopreventive agents in colon carcinogenesis in F344 rats. As a part of a program aimed to develop less toxic and more effective chemopreventive organoselenium compounds than inorganic selenium and BSC, we evaluated the positional isomers of BSC namely o-, m-, and p-methoxy BSC and dibenzyl diselenide (DDS) for their potential chemopreventive properties using colonic epithelial cell proliferation as an efficacy endpoint. p-XSC and inorganic selenium, which were found to inhibit colon carcinogenesis in earlier preclinical efficacy study, were included as positive controls. Male F344 rats were fed the control diet containing 8 ppm Na2SeO3 or 10 ppm of each o-, m-, and p-methoxy BSC and DDS equivalent to 4.1 ppm Se or 20 ppm p-XSC (10 ppm Se) 2 weeks prior to carcinogen (AOM, 15 mg/kg body wt., once weekly for 2 weeks) administration and during and until 8 weeks after AOM treatment. Vehicle-control animals received an equal volume of normal saline. One hour prior to sacrifice, all animals were injected with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU, 20 mg/kg body wt.). Administration of o-, m-, and p-methoxy BSC, p-XSC, DDS, and Na2SeO3 resulted in decreased colonic labeling index in animal treated with AOM compared to control diet. Notably, p-XSC and Na2SeO3, which showed previously colon tumor inhibitory activity in preclinical efficacy study, were also effective in the present study. The results of our previous and current studies indicate that structurally modified synthetic organoselenium compounds may have great potential as chemopreventive agents.

Animals↗

Evaluation of immunotoxic and immunodisruptive effects of inorganic arsenite on human monocytes/macrophages.

A trivalent inorganic arsenic, arsenite, has been causing chronic inflammation in humans through the consumption of contaminated well water. The total peripheral blood arsenic concentrations of chronic arsenic-exposed patients, who had inflammatory-like immune responses, are less than 1 microM, thus, nM concentrations may be very important regarding the chronic inflammatory effects by arsenite. However, there are few reports about the biological effects of low concentrations of arsenite in mammalian cells, especially in normal immune effector cells. In this study, we examined whether arsenite has any biological and/or toxicological effects on the differentiation of human peripheral blood monocytes into macrophages using the colony-stimulating factor (CSF) in vitro compared with that of other metallic compounds, and found that arsenite sensitively inhibited the CSF-induced in vitro maturation of monocytes into macrophages at nM levels, and it also induced small, nonadhesive and CD14-positive abnormal macrophage generation from monocytes with granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF) at 50-500 nM without cell death. The addition of other metallic compounds, including chromium, selenium, mercury, cadmium, nickel, copper, zinc, cobalt, manganese and other human pentavalent arsenic metabolites, such as inorganic arsenate, monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid, could not induce the same abnormal cell generation from monocytes with CSFs at any concentration and any additional time schedules; they showed only simple cytolethality in monocytes and macrophages at n-mM levels accompanied by cell death. This work may have implications in the arsenic-induced chronic inflammation in humans.

Arsenates↗

Role of cobalt, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, platinum, selenium, and titanium in carcinogenesis.

The possible carcinogenicity of cobalt, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, platinum, selenium, and titanium is reviewed, taking into account epidemiological data, the results of animal experimental studies, data on mutagenic effects and on other in vitro test systems. Of the great variety of occupations where exposure to one of these metals may occur, only haematite mining has been clearly shown to involve an increased human cancer risk. While the possibility that haematite might in some way act as a carcinogen has to be taken into consideration it is more likely that other carcinogens are responsible. Certain platinum coordination complexes are used in cancer chemotherapy, are mutagenic, and likely to be carcinogenic. Cobalt, its oxide and sulfide, certain lead salts, one organomanganese, and one organotitanium compound have been shown to have a limited carcinogenic effect in experimental animal studies, and except for titanium appear to be mutagenic. Certain mercury compounds are mutagenic but none have been shown to be carcinogenic. The presently available data are inadequate to assess the possible carcinogenicity of selenium compounds, but a few observations suggest that selenium may suppress the effect of other carcinogens administered to experimental animals and may even be associated with lower cancer mortality rates in man. Epidemiological observations are essential for the assessment of a human cancer risk, but the difficulty in collecting past exposure data in occupational groups and the complexity of multiple occupational exposures with changes over time, limits the usefulness of retrospective epidemiological studies.

Animals↗

Characteristics of selenazolidine prodrugs of selenocysteine: toxicity, selenium levels, and glutathione peroxidase induction in A/J mice.

We have previously reported the synthesis and characterization of two new classes of selenazolidine-4(R)-carboxylic acids (2-oxo and 2-methyl-SCAs) (OSCA and MSCA, respectively), as well as the "parent" compound, selenazolidine-4(R)-carboxylic acid (SCA, selenaproline). These compounds were designed as prodrugs of L-selenocysteine with potential application in cancer chemoprevention or other clinical uses. We will be exploring the chemopreventive activity of the new compounds in the well-established A/J mouse model of tobacco-induced lung carcinogenesis. The objectives of the present study were to investigate several fundamental biochemical endpoints after selenazolidine administration compared with other selenium-containing agents. Groups of mice were fed either AIN-76A diet alone or the diet supplemented with the following selenium compounds (ppm Se): sodium selenite (5), L-selenomethionine (3.75), L-selenocystine (15), Se-methyl-L-selenocysteine (3), MSCA (5, 10, or 15), OSCA (5, 10, or 15), or SCA (5, 10, or 15). After 28 days of supplementation, toxicity of the selenazolidines was not evident, as measured by outward appearance and behavior, body and organ weight changes, and histological evaluation of liver and lung tissue. Select treatment groups showed significant increases in selenium levels in blood and tissues. Increased activity of selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in blood and liver illustrated that the selenazolidines provided a source of biologically-available selenium.

Animals↗