Selenitetriglycerides-Redox-active agents.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Human prostate cancer (hPCa) is a leading cause of cancer death in elderly men.
• Selenium (Se(IV)) compounds show potential for prostate cancer prevention.
• Selol, a novel organic Se(IV) derivative, is a non-toxic, non-mutagenic selenitetriglyceride mixture with demonstrated in vitro anti-cancer activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the influence of Selol on the intracellular redox state (Eh) of prostatic tumors and liver in androgen-dependent hPCa mouse models.
• To assess the effect of Selol on the extracellular redox state in the serum of these mice.

Main Methods:

• Utilized androgen-dependent hPCa mouse models.
• Measured intracellular redox state (Eh) in prostatic tumors and liver.
• Measured extracellular redox state (Eh) in mouse serum.

Main Results:

• Selol treatment significantly altered redox states: intracellular tumor Eh increased from -223 mV to -175 mV, while serum Eh decreased from -82 mV to -113 mV.
• The redox difference between intracellular and extracellular environments decreased significantly.
• Observed a 17% reduction in tumor mass after three weeks of Selol administration.

Conclusions:

• Selol's anticancer activity in androgen-dependent hPCa cells involves perturbation of redox regulation.
• The observed redox changes suggest Selol may induce apoptosis in tumor cells.
• Selol demonstrates significant efficacy in reducing tumor mass, indicating its potential as a prostate cancer therapeutic.