Palm tocotrienols decrease levels of pro-angiogenic markers in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and murine mammary cancer cells

Kanga Rani Selvaduray, Ammu K. Radhakrishnan, Methil Kannan Kutty, Kalanithi Nesaretnam

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Abstract

Anti-angiogenic therapy is widely being used to halt tumour angiogenesis. In this study, the antiangiogenic activity of palm tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) and its individual components (γ- and δ-tocotrienol) were first investigated in vitro in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and 4T1 mouse mammary cancer cells. Results showed reduced levels of Interkeukin (IL)-8 and IL-6, two pro-angiogenic cytokines in HUVEC treated with palm tocotrienols compared with α-tocopherol (α-T) and control cells (P<0.05). The production of IL-8 and IL-6 was lowest in δ-tocotrienol (δ-T3)-treated cells followed by γ-tocotrienol (γ-T3) and TRF. There was significant (P<0.05) reduction in IL-8 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production in 4T1 cells treated with TRF or δ-T3. There was decreased expression of VEGF and its receptors; VEGF-R1 (fms-like tyrosine kinase, Flt-1) and VEGF-R2 (Kinase-insert-domain-containing receptor, KDR/Flk-2) in tumour tissues excised from mice supplemented with TRF were observed. There was also decreased expression of VEGF-R2 in lung tissues of mice supplemented with TRF. These observations correlate with the smaller tumour size recorded in the tocotrienol-treated mice. This study confirms previous observations that palm tocotrienols exhibit anti-angiogenic properties that may inhibit tumour progression.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)53-61
Number of pages9
JournalGenes and Nutrition
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Angiogenesis
  • IL-6
  • IL-8
  • Palm tocotrienol
  • VEGF
  • VEGF receptors

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