Mechanism of the anti-angiogenic effect of Avemar on tumor cells

Creative Commons License

İMİR N., AYDEMİR E., ŞİMŞEK E.

ONCOLOGY LETTERS, vol.15, no.2, pp.2673-2678, 2018 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 15 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2018
  • Doi Number: 10.3892/ol.2017.7604
  • Journal Name: ONCOLOGY LETTERS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.2673-2678
  • Keywords: angiogenesis, Avemar, cyclooxygenase 2, vascular endothelial growth factor, FERMENTED WHEAT-GERM, ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH-FACTOR, CYCLOOXYGENASE-2 EXPRESSION, CANCER CELLS, EXTRACT, APOPTOSIS, PROLIFERATION, PROGRESSION, METASTASIS, INHIBITION
  • Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Avemar, a derivative of fermented wheat germ extract, is a non-toxic and natural compound that is used as a dietary supplement by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Avemar has numerous biological activities, and several recent studies have reported that it may also have metastatic and anti-angiogenic effects. In the present study, the mechanism of the anti-angiogenic effect of Avemar on human cancer cells was investigated. The human cell lines NCI-N87 (gastric tubular adenocarcinoma), PC3 (prostate carcinoma), HeLa (endocervical adenocarcinoma) and A549 (lung adenocarcinoma) were treated with various doses (400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200 mu g/ml) of Avemar, and the changes in mRNA and protein levels of two important markers of angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), were assessed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and ELISA. VEGF and Cox-2 protein and mRNA levels were significantly lower in Avemar-treated cells than in untreated cells. The data suggest that Avemar may exert an anti-angiogenic effect on cancer cells. Thus, it is suggested to medical doctors as a potential agent for the anti-angiogenic treatment of cancer.