Cytotoxicity of Probiotics from Philippine Commercial Dairy Products on Cancer Cells and the Effect on Expression of cfos and cjun Early Apoptotic-Promoting Genes and Interleukin-1β and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Proinflammatory Cytokine Genes

Abstract EN

This study determined cytotoxicity of probiotic Lactobacillus spp.

from Philippine dairy products on cancer cells and normal fibroblasts and their effects on expression of early apoptotic-promoting cfos, cjun and proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β, TNF-α genes.

Cultures were from Yakult, Bear Brand Probiotic Drink, Nido3+ Powdered Milk.

Filter-sterilized supernatants from cultures of Lactobacillus spp.

were evaluated for cytotoxicity to colon cancer cells (HT-29 and HCT116), leukemia cells (THP-1), and normal human dermal fibroblasts (HDFn) using PrestoBlue.

Bleomycin was the positive control.

Absolute quantification of transcript levels was conducted using qRT-PCR.

Cytotoxicity index profiles on HDFn, THP-1 of all probiotic supernatants and negative controls suggest nontoxicity to the cells when compared to bleomycin, whereas all probiotic supernatants were found to be cytotoxic to HT-29 and HCT-116 colon cancer cell lines.

Expression of cfos, cjun transcripts was significantly upregulated in HT-29 and HCT116 cells treated with probiotic supernatants compared to untreated baseline levels (P<0.05).

Expression of IL-1β and TNF-α by lipopolysaccharide-treated macrophages was significantly downregulated in cells with probiotic supernatants compared to those exposed to MRS medium (P<0.05).

Results provide strong support for the role of Lactobacillus spp.

studied in anticancer therapy and in prevention of inflammation that may act as precursor to carcinogenesis.