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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2022

Open Access 01-12-2022 | Colorectal Cancer | Research

Krill oil supplementation reduces the growth of CT-26 orthotopic tumours in Balb/c mice

Authors: Abilasha Gayani Jayathilake, Elif Kadife, Nyanbol Kuol, Rodney Brain Luwor, Kulmira Nurgali, Xiao Qun Su

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

Background

We have previously reported that the free fatty acid extract (FFAE) of krill oil (KO) significantly inhibits the proliferation and migration, and induces apoptosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. This study aimed to investigate the in vivo efficacy of various doses of KO supplementation on the inhibition of CRC tumour growth, molecular markers of proliferation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its downstream molecular signalling.

Methods

Male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into four groups with five in each group. The control (untreated) group received standard chow diet; and other three groups received KO supplementation at 5%, 10%, and 15% of their daily dietary intake respectively for three weeks before and after the orthotopic implantation of CT-26 CRC cells in their caecum. The expression of cell proliferation marker Ki-67 and angiogenesis marker CD-31 were assessed by immunohistochemistry. The expression of EGFR, phosphorylated EGFR (pEGFR), protein kinase B (AKT), pAKT, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), pERK1/2, cleaved caspase-7, cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and DNA/RNA damage were determined by western blot.

Results

KO supplementation reduced the CRC tumour growth in a dose-dependent manner; with 15% of KO being the most effective in reduction of tumour weight and volume (68.5% and 68.3% respectively, P < 0.001), inhibition of cell proliferation by 69.9% (P < 0.001) and microvessel density by 72.7% (P < 0.001). The suppressive effects of KO on EGFR and its downstream signalling, ERK1/2 and AKT, were consistent with our previous in vitro observations. Furthermore, KO exhibited pro-apoptotic effects on tumour cells as indicated by an increase in the expression of cleaved PARP by 3.9-fold and caspase-7 by 8.9-fold.

Conclusions

This study has demonstrated that KO supplementation reduces CRC tumour growth by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and blood vessel formation and inducing apoptosis of tumour cells. These anti-cancer effects are associated with the downregulation of the EGFR signalling pathway and activation of caspase-7, PARP cleavage, and DNA/RNA damage.
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Metadata
Title
Krill oil supplementation reduces the growth of CT-26 orthotopic tumours in Balb/c mice
Authors
Abilasha Gayani Jayathilake
Elif Kadife
Nyanbol Kuol
Rodney Brain Luwor
Kulmira Nurgali
Xiao Qun Su
Publication date
01-12-2022
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-022-03521-4

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