PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - NOTARNICOLA, MARIA
AU  - MESSA, CATERINA
AU  - PRICCI, MARIA
AU  - GUERRA, VITO
AU  - ALTOMARE, DONATO FRANCESCO
AU  - MONTEMURRO, SEVERINO
AU  - CARUSO, MARIA GABRIELLA
TI  - Up-regulation of 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase Activity in Left-sided Human Colon Cancer
DP  - 2004 Nov 01
TA  - Anticancer Research
PG  - 3837--3842
VI  - 24
IP  - 6
4099  - http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/24/6/3837.short
4100  - http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/24/6/3837.full
SO  - Anticancer Res2004 Nov 01; 24
AB  - Background. We evaluated the HMGCoA reductase activity and LDL receptor levels in human colon cancer as well as the effects of simvastatin on in vitro cell growth and apoptosis of DLD-1 and Caco2 cell lines. Materials and Methods: HMGCoA reductase activity and LDL receptor were measured by radiochemical assay and ELISA method, respectively. Cell growth and apoptosis were evaluated by MTT-test and DNA fragmentation analysis, respectively. Results: Higher HMGCoA reductase activity and LDL receptor levels were detected in cancer than in normal mucosa. An up-regulation of HMGCoA reductase activity was detected in left-sided tumors. Simvastatin treatment produced marked anti-proliferative and pro-aptotic effects in DLD-1. Cell growth inhibition, but no apoptosis, was also evident in Caco2 cells. Conclusion: The cholesterol pathway is involved in colon malignant transformation. Therapeutic strategies using HMGCoA reductase inhibitors as anti-cancer compounds should also take into consideration the biological and clinical differences detected inside colon tracts. Copyright© 2004 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved