Author/Editor | Bjorkhem-Bergman, Linda; Ačimovič, Jure; Torndal, Ulla-Britta; Parini, Paolo; Eriksson, Lennart C | |
Title | Lovastatin prevents carcinogenesis in a rat model for liver cancer. Effects of ubiquinone supplementation | |
Type | članek | |
Source | Anticancer Res inhibitors/biosynthesis/pharmacology | |
Vol. and No. | Letnik 30, št. 4 | |
Publication year | 2010 | |
Volume | str. 1105-12 | |
Language | eng | |
Abstract | Aim: This study tests the hypothesis that statins (HMGCoA reductase inhibitors) inhibit carcinogenesis and that this effect may be mediated by the statin-induced inhibition of ubiquinone synthesis. Materials and methods: The effects of lovastatin, with and without addition of ubiquinone, were studied in a rat model for chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Intermediates in the mevalonate pathway were measured. Results: Lovastatin treatment reduced the volume fraction of liver nodules by 50% and the cell proliferation within the liver nodules was reduced to one third. Ubiquinone (Q10) treatment reversed the statin-induced inhibition of cell proliferation. Lathosterol levels were reduced significantly in the statin-treated rats, indicating inhibition of the mevalonate pathway, but cholesterol levels were not affected. Conclusion: Lovastatin inhibits carcinogenesis in a rat model for liver cancer, despite unaffected cholesterol levels. The statin-induced inhibition of cell proliferation may, at least in part, be explained by the inhibition of ubiquinone synthesis. | |
Descriptors | ANIMALS ANTICARCINOGENIC AGENTS APOPTOSIS BODY WEIGHT CHOLESTEROL DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL LIVER LIVER NEOPLASMS, EXPERIMENTAL LOVASTATIN MEVALONIC ACID PRECANCEROUS CONDITIONS RATS RATS, INBRED F344 UBIQUINONE |