Zinc and Prostate Cell Study

Byron's Comments:

Zinc adequacy is especially important for preventing initital changes in the prostate that can lead to problems.

Study Title:

Differential response to zinc-induced apoptosis in benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer cells.

Study Abstract:

Zinc concentrations in the prostate are uniquely high but are dramatically decreased with prostate cancer. Studies have suggested that increasing zinc in the prostate may be a potential therapeutic strategy. The goal of this study was to evaluate the antiproliferative effects of zinc in prostate cancer cells (PC-3) and noncancerous benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) cells (BPH-1) and to define possible mechanisms. PC-3 and BPH-1 cells were treated with zinc (0-250 muM) for 24 and 48 h, and cell growth and viability were examined. Apoptosis was assessed by phosphatidylserine externalization, caspase activation and protein expression of B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (BAX):Bcl-2. BPH-1 cells were more sensitive to the antiproliferative effects of zinc compared to PC-3. The response to zinc in PC-3 and BPH-1 cells differed as evidenced by opposing effects on Bcl-2:BAX expression. Additionally, different effects on the nuclear expression and activity of the p65 subunit of nuclear factor kappa B were observed in response to zinc between the two cell types. The differential response to zinc in PC-3 and BPH-1 cells suggests that zinc may serve an important role in regulating cell growth and apoptosis in prostate cancer and hyperplasia cells.

Study Information:

Yan M, Hardin K, Ho E. Differential response to zinc-induced apoptosis in benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer cells. J Nutr Biochem. 2009 July
Department of Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.

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