The Radio-Sensitizing Effect of Pharmacological Concentration of Ascorbic Acid on Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Author(s):

Dian Dayer*, Mohammad R. Tabandeh and Majid Kazemi   Pages 1927 - 1932 ( 6 )

Abstract:

<P>Background: Previous studies reported the inevitable destructive effects of radiotherapy on normal adjacent cells. Ascorbic Acid (AA) has been proposed as an effective anti-cancer agent with no obvious effects on normal cells. </P><P> Objective: The effects of Ascorbic acid in combination with radiotherapy on human pancreatic carcinoma cell line were studied. </P><P> Methods: The human pancreatic cancer cells were cultured and divided into four groups: control group (A) without any treatment, group B that received 2Gy radiotherapy alone, group C that was treated with 4mM AA alone, and group D that was co-treated with AA and radiotherapy. Cell viability, DNA fragmentation, expression of apoptotic genes, and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production were determined in treated cells. </P><P> Results: There was a noticeable decrease in cell viability after treatment with AA (and/or) radiotherapy. All treated groups showed elevated ROS production, Bax/Bcl2 expression, DNA fragmentation, and cytotoxycity compared with the control group. Cells under combination therapy showed the most cytotoxicity. </P><P> Conclusion: The results suggest that AA at a dose of 4mmol/l may be used as an effective radio-sensitizing agent in pancreatic cancer cell line.</P>

Keywords:

Ascorbic acid, radiotherapy, pancreatic cancer, reactive oxygen species, Bax expression, Bcl2 expression, DNA fragmentation.

Affiliation:

Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Para-Medical Faculty, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz

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