Vitamin D protects cells from stress that can lead to cancer

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Public release date: 13-May-2008

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-05/uorm-vdp051308.php

Contact: Wentzel

_Wentzel@...

University of Rochester Medical Center

Vitamin D protects cells from stress that can lead to cancer

By inducing a specific gene to increase expression of a key enzyme,

vitamin D protects healthy prostate cells from the damage and injuries

that can lead to cancer, University of Rochester Medical Center

researchers report.

“Many epidemiological studies have suggested the beneficial properties

of vitamin D,” said Yi-Fen Lee, associate professor of urology at the

Medical Center who led the research. “Our findings reflect what we see

in those studies and demonstrate that vitamin D not only can be used as

a therapy for prostate cancer, it can prevent prostate cancer from

happening.”

The International Journal of Cancer published the findings in its June

15 issue.

Lee and her research team discovered one mechanism involving vitamin D

that protects cells from oxidative stress. The vitamin D used in the

study is 1,25-hydroxylvitamin D3, the most potent and active form of

vitamin D in the human body. Nonmalignant human prostate epithelial

cells also were used.

Normal metabolism in cells generates reactive oxygen species (ROS),

molecules of peroxide, for example, or so-called free radicals. These

substances can play a role in cell signaling and even kill bacteria.

Exposure to some chemicals or forms of radiation can produce high levels

of ROS that can damage DNA and play a significant role in speeding aging

or causing cancer.

Lee found that vitamin D links with a gene known as G6PD, increasing its

activity and the production of an enzyme called glucose-6-phosphate

dehydrogenase. Increased activity of the enzyme clears cells of ROS, the

molecules that can damage and injure cells.

“If you reduce DNA damage, you reduce the risk of cancer or aging,” Lee

said. “Our study adds one more beneficial effect of taking a vitamin D

supplement. Taking a supplement is especially important for senior

citizens and others who might have less circulation of vitamin D, and

for people who live and work areas where there is less sunshine.”

Large amounts of vitamin D should not be taken without medical

supervision, she said.

The G6PD pathway is one of the mechanisms vitamin D uses, Lee said. The

researchers did not find any similar activity in prostate cancer cells.

“Vitamin D does not protect cancer cells from injury or damage, which is

good,” Lee said.

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The current research was supported by a grant from the U.S. Department

of Defense.

In addition to Lee, authors of the International Journal of Cancer

article include Bo-Ying Bao of China Medical University, Taichung,

Taiwan, and Huei-Ju Ting and Jong-Wei Hsu of the Medical Center.

In the journal Carcinogenesis in 2006, Lee reported that vitamin D can

inhibit the spread of prostate cancer by limiting the ability of cancer

cells to invade healthy cells by reducing the activity of two specific

enzymes, proteases called matrix metalloproteinase and cathepsin. The

research was conducted in test tubes using human prostate cancer cell

lines. That finding indicated that vitamin D could provide beneficial

treatment to prostate cancer patients with high levels of the enzymes.

--

ne Holden, MS, RD

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