Advanced glycation end products promote ChREBP expression and cell proliferation in liver cancer cells by increasing reactive oxygen species.
Impact factor: 1.552
Level of evidence: VI
Protocol: Real-time PCR, western blot.
Statistical Analysis: Student’s t-test, P<0.05 considered significant.
Study Type: In vitro.
Results: In human liver cancer cells (HepG2), AGE treatment increases the number of cells in the S-phase, decreases the percentage of cells undergoing apoptosis, and stimulates intracellular ROS production when compared to a control treatment. It was shown with fluorescent microscopy that treatment with the antioxidant, NAC (N-acetyl cysteine), along with AGE, decreased the amount of ROS species present in the cell. NAC also decreased the induction of carbohydrate responsive element-binding protein (ChREBP) expression.
Discussion: This study shows evidence of AGEs inducing proliferation of human liver cancer cells by increasing ROS and ChREBP expression. Findings from this study highlight the AGE-ROS-ChREBP pathway as a potential target for treatment of liver cancer in diabetic patients and can potentially explain increased liver cancer mortality in diabetic patients.
Chen H, Li Y, Zhu Y, et al. Advanced glycation end products promote ChREBP expression and cell proliferation in liver cancer cells by increasing reactive oxygen species [published correction appears in Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Dec;96(50):e9318]. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(33):e7456. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000007456.