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Tumor Biology
Published in: Tumor Biology 3/2015

01-03-2015 | Research Article

Curcumin ameliorate DENA-induced HCC via modulating TGF-β, AKT, and caspase-3 expression in experimental rat model

Authors: Mekky M. M. Abouzied, Heba M. Eltahir, Mohamed A. Abdel Aziz, Nagwa S. Ahmed, Ahmed A. Abd El-Ghany, Ebtihal A. Abd El-Aziz, Hekmat O. Abd El-Aziz

Published in: Tumor Biology | Issue 3/2015

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Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. In laboratory animal models, diethylnitrosamine (DENA) is a well-known agent that has a potent hepatocarcinogenic effect that is used to induce HCC. As curcumin has a potent anti-inflammatory effect with strong therapeutic potential against a variety of cancers, our present study aims to investigate its curative effects and the possible mechanisms of action against DENA-induced HCC in male rats. Investigation of biochemical and molecular parameters of HCC animal model liver showed an overexpression of TGF-β and Akt proteins accompanied with a significant reduction of the proapoptotic marker caspase-3. DENA-induced hepatic cellular injury resulted also in a significant increase in liver function marker enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lipid peroxides in this group. Curcumin treatment partially reversed DENA-induced damage as it reduced the overexpression of the angiogenic and anti-apoptotic factors TGF-β and Akt and improved caspase-3 expression. Also, it could partially normalize the serum values of liver marker enzymes and lipid peroxidation and improve liver architecture. Curcumin shows a unique chemotherapeutic effect in reversing DENA-induced HCC in rat model. This effect is possibly mediated through its proapoptotic, antioxidant, anti-angiogenic, as well as antimitotic effects. It interferes and modulates cell signaling pathways and hence turns death signals and apoptosis on within tumor cells.
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Metadata
Title
Curcumin ameliorate DENA-induced HCC via modulating TGF-β, AKT, and caspase-3 expression in experimental rat model
Authors
Mekky M. M. Abouzied
Heba M. Eltahir
Mohamed A. Abdel Aziz
Nagwa S. Ahmed
Ahmed A. Abd El-Ghany
Ebtihal A. Abd El-Aziz
Hekmat O. Abd El-Aziz
Publication date
01-03-2015
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Tumor Biology / Issue 3/2015
Print ISSN: 1010-4283
Electronic ISSN: 1423-0380
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13277-014-2778-z

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