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Short-chain fatty acids induce apoptosis in colon cancer cells associated with changes to intracellular redox state and glucose metabolism

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:30:00 GMT

Title: Short-chain fatty acids induce apoptosis in colon cancer cells associated with changes to intracellular redox state and glucose metabolism Author: Matthews, Geoffrey Mark; Howarth, Gordon Stanley; Butler, Ross Norman Abstract: BACKGROUND: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are undergoing increased scrutiny as chemotherapeutics for colon cancer, although a comprehensive understanding of their mode of action is lacking. We investigated candidate SCFA for their capability to modulate apoptosis, cell cycle, intracellular redox state and glucose metabolism in the Caco-2 human colon cancer cell line. METHODS: Caco-2 cells were incubated with butyrate, propionate or a combination of these SCFA (1:1) and assessed by flow cytometry, enzyme activity analysis or by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Butyrate and the SCFA combination induced apoptosis and G2-M arrest to a greater extent than propionate alone (p < 0.05). SCFA treatment led to time-dependent alterations to the oxidative pentose pathway, reductions in glutathione availability and increases in levels of reactive oxygen species (p < 0.05) compared with untreated controls. The rate of D-glucose metabolism was increased by all SCFA, although to the greatest extent by butyrate (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that butyrate, or the combination of both SCFA, induced rapid and extensive apoptosis and G2-M arrest associated with changes to redox state and D-glucose metabolism. These results support the potential for butyrate and propionate to act as adjuncts to conventional chemotherapy regimens for colon cancer.

Repetitive stimulation of the common peroneal nerve as a diagnostic aid for botulism in foals

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Title: Repetitive stimulation of the common peroneal nerve as a diagnostic aid for botulism in foals Author: Aleman, Monica A.; Williams, D. C.; Jorge, N. E.; Magdesian, K. Gary; Brosnan, R. J.; Feary, Darien; Hilton, H. G.; Kozikowski, T. A.; Higgins, J. K.; Madigan, J. E.; LeCouteur, R. A.

Immediate and delayed (after cooling) effects of centrifugation on equine sperm

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:30:00 GMT

Title: Immediate and delayed (after cooling) effects of centrifugation on equine sperm Author: Len Yin, Jose Augusto; Jenkins, J. A.; Eilts, B. E.; Paccamonti, D. L.; Lyle, S. K.; Hosgood, G.

Polymerase chain reaction for detection of Ureaplasma diversum from urogenital swabs in cattle in Australia

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:30:00 GMT

Title: Polymerase chain reaction for detection of Ureaplasma diversum from urogenital swabs in cattle in Australia Author: Smith, A.; Chousalkar, Kapil K.; Chenoweth, P. C. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Ureaplasma diversum has been associated with various reproductive problems in cattle, including granular vulvovaginitis, endometritis, salpingitis, early embryonic death, weak calves, decreased conception rates, balanoprosthitis, impaired spermatozoids and seminal vesiculitis in bulls. METHODS: This study briefly outlines the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the rapid detection of U. diversum directly from urogenital swabs collected from Australian beef cattle. RESULTS: The 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences obtained from the PCR products of the clinical samples were closely related to U. diversum strain A417. CONCLUSION: The present test enabled detection of the organism directly from clinical swabs collected from animals with or without lesions.