Gamma-tocopherol induces apoptosis in androgen-responsive LNCaP prostate cancer cells via caspase-dependent and independent mechanisms.

Abstract

We found that gamma-tocopherol, the predominant vitamin E form in diets, but not alpha-tocopherol, which is the exclusive form of vitamin E in most supplements, exhibited antiproliferation effect on prostate (PC-3, LNCaP) and lung (A549) cancer cells. gamma-Tocopherol induced apoptosis in androgen-sensitive LNCaP but not androgen-resistant PC-3 cells. Consequently, gamma-tocopherol treatment caused cytochrome c release and caspase-9, -3 and -7 activation. However, the apoptosis could not be completely reversed by an irreversible pancaspase inhibitor, indicating that an alternative caspase-independent pathway may also be involved. Our study suggests that gamma-tocopherol may be valuable in the prevention and therapy for certain types of cancer.

• Authors: Qing Jiang, Jeff Wong, Bruce N Ames
• Journal: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (Ann N Y Acad Sci) Vol. 1031 Pg. 399-400 (Dec 2004) ISSN: 0077-8923 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15753180 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Androgens
• gamma-Tocopherol
• Caspases

Topics

• Androgens (pharmacology)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Caspases (metabolism)
• Cell Division (drug effects)
• Enzyme Activation (drug effects)
• Humans
• Lung Neoplasms (pathology)
• Male
• Prostate (drug effects)
• Prostatic Neoplasms (pathology)
• Tumor Cells, Cultured
• gamma-Tocopherol (pharmacology)