Study of the Effects of Betaine andor C-Phycocyanin on the Growth of Lung Cancer A549 Cells In Vitro and In Vivo

Abstract EN

We investigated the effects of betaine, C-phycocyanin (C-PC), and their combined use on the growth of A549 lung cancer both in vitro and in vivo.

When cells were coincubated with betaine and C-PC, an up to 60% decrease in viability was observed which is significant compared to betaine (50%) or C-PC treatment alone (no decrease).

Combined treatment reduced the stimulation of NF-κB expression by TNF-α and increased the amount of the proapoptotic p38 MAPK.

Interestingly, combined treatment induced a cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase for ~60% of cells.

In vivo studies were performed in pathogen-free male nude rats injected with A549 cells in their right flank.

Their daily food was supplemented with either betaine, C-PC, both, or neither.

Compared to the control group, tumour weights and volumes were significantly reduced in either betaine- or C-PC-treated groups and no additional decrease was obtained with the combined treatment.

This data indicates that C-PC and betaine alone may efficiently inhibit tumour growth in rats.

The synergistic activity of betaine and C-PC on A549 cells growth observed in vitro remains to be further confirmed in vivo.

The reason behind the nature of their interaction is yet to be sought.