Procyanidin effects on oesophageal adenocarcinoma cells strongly depend on flavan-3-ol degree of polymerization

Mol Nutr Food Res. 2008 Dec;52(12):1399-407. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.200700513.

Abstract

Epidemiological studies have shown that the risk of developing oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OA) is inversely correlated to consumption of fruits and vegetables. Flavan-3-ols are the most abundant subclass of flavonoids in these types of foods. Three apple-derived procyanidin fractions with different average degrees of polymerization (aDP) were characterized and the effects of these fractions and of pure flavan-3-ol monomers ((-)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin) and dimers (B1, B2) on two OA cell lines were investigated. Flavan-3-ol monomers and dimers had no effect on the two cell lines, while apple-derived flavan-3-ol oligomers and polymers induced a time-dependent reduction of cell viability. The reduction in the cell viability was due to the induction of caspase-mediated apoptosis and an arrest of the cell cycle in G0/G1. The magnitude of the reduction in cell viability and induction of apoptosis after exposure to flavan-3-ol oligomeric/polymeric fractions positively correlated with their aDP. These results indicate that only flavan-3-ol oligomers and polymers, but not monomers and dimers, have an effect on the proliferation of OA cells in vitro. As tested flavan-3-ol concentrations are achievable through diet, this study suggests that apple-derived PA may possess chemotherapeutic effects against OA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Biflavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Catechin / pharmacology*
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Dimerization
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Flavonoids / chemistry
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • Malus / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Proanthocyanidins / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Biflavonoids
  • Flavonoids
  • Polymers
  • Proanthocyanidins
  • flavan-3-ol
  • procyanidin
  • Catechin