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Vitamin D protects
cells from stress that can lead to cancer
By inducing a specific gene to increase
expression of a key enzyme, vitamin D
protects healthy prostate cells from the
damage and injuries that can lead to cancer,
University of Rochester Medical Center
researchers report.
“Many epidemiological studies have suggested
the beneficial properties of vitamin D,”
said Yi-Fen Lee, associate professor of
urology at the Medical Center who led the
research. “Our findings reflect what we see
in those studies and demonstrate that
vitamin D not only can be used as a therapy
for prostate cancer, it can prevent prostate
cancer from happening.”
The International Journal of Cancer
published the findings in its June 15 issue.
Lee and her research team discovered one
mechanism involving vitamin D that protects
cells from oxidative stress. The vitamin D
used in the study is 1,25-hydroxylvitamin
D3, the most potent and active form of
vitamin D in the human body. Nonmalignant
human prostate epithelial cells also were
used.
Normal metabolism in cells generates
reactive oxygen species (ROS), molecules of
peroxide, for example, or so-called free
radicals. These substances can play a role
in cell signaling and even kill bacteria.
Exposure to some chemicals or forms of
radiation can produce high levels of ROS
that can damage DNA and play a significant
role in speeding aging or causing cancer.
Lee found that vitamin D links with a gene
known as G6PD, increasing its activity and
the production of an enzyme called
glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Increased
activity of the enzyme clears cells of ROS,
the molecules that can damage and injure
cells.
“If you reduce DNA damage, you reduce the
risk of cancer or aging,” Lee said. “Our
study adds one more beneficial effect of
taking a vitamin D supplement. Taking a
supplement is especially important for
senior citizens and others who might have
less circulation of vitamin D, and for
people who live and work areas where there
is less sunshine.”
Large amounts of vitamin D should not be
taken without medical supervision, she said.
The G6PD pathway is one of the mechanisms
vitamin D uses, Lee said. The researchers
did not find any similar activity in
prostate cancer cells.
“Vitamin D does not protect cancer cells
from injury or damage, which is good,” Lee
said.
###
The current research was supported by a
grant from the U.S. Department of Defense.
In addition to Lee, authors of the
International Journal of Cancer article
include Bo-Ying Bao of China Medical
University, Taichung, Taiwan, and Huei-Ju
Ting and Jong-Wei Hsu of the Medical Center.
In the journal Carcinogenesis in 2006, Lee
reported that vitamin D can inhibit the
spread of prostate cancer by limiting the
ability of cancer cells to invade healthy
cells by reducing the activity of two
specific enzymes, proteases called matrix
metalloproteinase and cathepsin. The
research was conducted in test tubes using
human prostate cancer cell lines. That
finding indicated that vitamin D could
provide beneficial treatment to prostate
cancer patients with high levels of the
enzymes.
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