Role of Phytochemicals in Colon Cancer Prevention: a Nutrigenomics Approach
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Role of phytochemicals in colon cancer prevention: a nutrigenomics approach Marjan J van Erk Promotor: Prof. Dr. P.J. van Bladeren Hoogleraar in de Toxicokinetiek en Biotransformatie Wageningen Universiteit Co-promotoren: Dr. Ir. J.M.M.J.G. Aarts Universitair Docent, Sectie Toxicologie Wageningen Universiteit Dr. Ir. B. van Ommen Senior Research Fellow Nutritional Systems Biology TNO Voeding, Zeist Promotiecommissie: Prof. Dr. P. Dolara University of Florence, Italy Prof. Dr. J.A.M. Leunissen Wageningen Universiteit Prof. Dr. J.C. Mathers University of Newcastle, United Kingdom Prof. Dr. M. Müller Wageningen Universiteit Dit onderzoek is uitgevoerd binnen de onderzoekschool VLAG Role of phytochemicals in colon cancer prevention: a nutrigenomics approach Marjan Jolanda van Erk Proefschrift ter verkrijging van graad van doctor op gezag van de rector magnificus van Wageningen Universiteit, Prof.Dr.Ir. L. Speelman, in het openbaar te verdedigen op vrijdag 1 oktober 2004 des namiddags te vier uur in de Aula Title Role of phytochemicals in colon cancer prevention: a nutrigenomics approach Author Marjan Jolanda van Erk Thesis Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands (2004) with abstract, with references, with summary in Dutch ISBN 90-8504-085-X ABSTRACT Role of phytochemicals in colon cancer prevention: a nutrigenomics approach Specific food compounds, especially from fruits and vegetables, may protect against development of colon cancer. In this thesis effects and mechanisms of various phytochemicals in relation to colon cancer prevention were studied through application of large-scale gene expression profiling. Expression measurement of thousands of genes can yield a more complete and in-depth insight into the mode of action of the compounds. Effects of quercetin (a flavonoid present in e.g. apples and onions), curcumin (a spice used e.g. in curries) and resveratrol (present e.g. in grapes) were studied in cultured colon cancer cells. These studies confirmed some hypothesized mechanisms of action of these compounds (e.g. effects on cell cycle) and yielded new interesting leads (e.g. effects on proteasome genes, DNA repair genes, tubulin genes). In addition, expression profiles of a panel of 14 human cell lines derived from colonic tissue were compared and related to expression profiles of human colon biopsies from normal and tumor tissue. Changes in expression profiles of a subset of colon cancer-specific genes (as a biomarker set) in cultured colon cancer cells could be useful to translate in vitro results to the in vivo situation. In addition to the in vitro studies, effects of wheat bran, curcumin, rutin and benzyl isothiocyanate on colon carcinogenesis were studied in a rat model. Wheat bran and curcumin showed a protective effect (lower tumor multiplicity after 8 months compared to the control group). Expression profiles of differentially expressed genes in small intestinal tissue at intermediate time points were predictive of colon tumor development at the end of the study, confirming a correlation between effects in small intestine and colon. In summary, the studies in this thesis demonstrate the potential of large-scale expression profiling in nutrition studies. These studies also demonstrated that although the technological advancements in large-scale gene expression analysis allow for the collection of ‘whole genome’ results, the challenge for the coming years will be to further exploit these data. Only when advances in the bioinformatics field lead to easier interpretation of large amounts of data from nutrigenomics studies, the large potential of nutrigenomics can become reality. TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1. General introduction p. 9 Chapter 2. Integrated assessment by multiple gene expression analysis p. 25 of quercetin bioactivity on anticancer-related mechanisms in colon cancer cells in vitro Chapter 3. Time- and dose-dependent effects of curcumin on p. 51 gene expression in human colon cancer cells Chapter 4. Towards an in vitro screening system for potential p. 81 cancer-preventive compounds based on gene expression profiling of cell lines and of human colon biopsies Chapter 5. Screening for potential cancer-preventive effects of p. 115 quercetin, curcumin and resveratrol by gene expression profiling in colon cancer cell lines Chapter 6. Do aberrant crypt foci have predictive value for the occurrence p. 139 of colorectal tumours? Potential of gene expression profiling in tumours Chapter 7. Gene expression profiling of effects of plant compounds p. 159 in relation to colon carcinogenesis Chapter 8. Summary & future perspectives p. 183 Nederlandse samenvatting p. 193 Bedankt! p. 200 Curriculum vitae, list of publications and training and supervision plan p. 203 GENERAL INTRODUCTION General Introduction Based on: Nutrigenomics and gastrointestinal health promotion Marjan J van Erk and Ben van Ommen In: ‘Nutrigenomics and Proteomics in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention’ (to be published in 2005) 9 CHAPTER 1 Background and aim of this thesis Development of colon cancer, a common form of cancer in Western countries, is related to diet and dietary compounds. Specifically, epidemiological studies indicate a protective effect of fruit and vegetable consumption. Although many bioactive phytochemicals (compounds from plants) have been identified, little is known about the mechanisms of cancer prevention of these compounds. At the same time that the human genome sequence was being unraveled, techniques were developed to measure expression of thousands of genes or proteins simultaneously. This advance from studying single genes or proteins to studying thousands of genes or proteins in one experiment promises to yield extensive and more comprehensive information in many areas of research, including nutrition-related research (figure 1.1). The aim of this thesis is to obtain more complete and in-depth insight in the mode of action of certain phytochemicals in relation to colon cancer prevention through application of large- scale gene expression measurement techniques. This approach has the potential to generate a wealth of information on effects of these compounds, which will help to elucidate the mechanisms of action. The studies described in this thesis are focused on quercetin, rutin, curcumin, resveratrol, wheat bran and benzyl isothiocyanate: plant compounds that are known to be able to protect against colon cancer development. Techniques for large scale measurement DNA gene methylation, SNPs sequencing, histone interaction genotyping RNA transcription transcriptomics processing, stability and (“genomics”) transport of mRNA receptor interaction protein signal transduction, proteomics Food enzyme regulation, Effect compound inhibition, modification transport regulation channel or pump interaction metabolite metabolomics multitude of functions Figure 1.1. Food compounds can have an effect on different levels in the cells (DNA, RNA, protein, metabolite). Large-scale measurement is possible at each of these levels. 10 GENERAL INTRODUCTION Colon cancer Introduction Colon cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer in the Western countries. In the Netherlands for example it is the most common form of cancer in males after prostate and lung cancer and in females it is the most common form of cancer after breast cancer [1]. In the USA the incidence of colon cancer was 62.5 cases per 100.000 for males and 45.9 cases per 100.000 for females in the year 2000 (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program; www.seer.cancer.gov). In the Netherlands, the colon cancer incidence was reported to be 32.8 per 100.000 person-years for males and 26 per 100.000 person-years for females in 1998 [2]. The process of cancer development can be divided into different steps. It starts with DNA damage and mutations in the initiation phase, followed by growth of transformed cells in the promotion stage, leading to malignant growth and invasion in the progression stage. During development of colon cancer normal colonic epithelium transfers into hyperproliferative epithelium and then further on into adenoma, carcinoma and eventually metastasis, through accumulation of genetic alterations, according to the model of Fearon and Vogelstein [3]. Crucial genes involved in this process include APC, K-ras, DCC, p53, c-myc, cox-2, mismatch repair genes, cell adhesion genes [4-6]. Accumulation of alterations during carcinogenesis leads to impairment of normal growth inhibition by increased cell growth and by inhibition of apoptosis, resulting in clonal expansion of tumor cells [7]. Normally, the balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis in colonic mucosa is tightly regulated in order to maintain a constant cell number [8]. The disturbance of the balance results in an escape from the normal homeostasis of cell number and favors the survival of the mutated and undifferentiated cells [9, 10]. Inhibition of proliferation and increase in apoptosis of these aberrant cells are important mechanisms of prevention of colon cancer. Also, promotion of differentiation e.g. by butyrate is an important preventive mechanism, since differentiation makes an escape from the tight control on cell growth less likely. Several forms of hereditary colon cancer are known. In Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) patients inherit a germ-line mutation in APC and develop many colon tumors. Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC) is related to microsatellite instability and a defect in DNA repair [4-6]. Role of nutrition in colon carcinogenesis