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Ursodeoxycholic Acid Induces Death Receptor-mediated Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells

Won Sup Lee1, Ji Hyun Jung1, Radha Panchanathan1

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea; Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea.

Journal of Cancer Prevention
|April 7, 2017
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) effectively inhibits prostate cancer cell growth by triggering apoptosis through both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. This bile acid shows promise as a novel anti-cancer therapeutic agent.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Bile acids possess known anti-cancer properties in specific cancer types.
  • Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a secondary bile acid with potential therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the anti-cancer activity of UDCA against human DU145 prostate cancer cells.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying UDCA-induced apoptosis in prostate cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Cell viability assessed using MTT assay.
  • Apoptosis induction evaluated via flow cytometry.
  • Expression of apoptosis-related proteins analyzed by Western blotting.

Main Results:

  • UDCA significantly inhibited DU145 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner.
  • UDCA induced apoptosis via both extrinsic (caspase 8, DR4, DR5, TRAIL) and intrinsic (Bax, cytochrome c, Bcl-xL) pathways.
  • UDCA treatment led to cellular shrinkage and sub-G1 DNA accumulation.

Conclusions:

  • UDCA effectively induces apoptosis in DU145 prostate cancer cells through dual extrinsic and intrinsic pathways.
  • UDCA demonstrates potential as a promising anti-cancer agent for prostate cancer treatment.
Keywords:
ApoptosisDU145Prostate cancerTumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligandUrsodeoxycholic acid

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