Effects of boric acid on proliferation, apoptosis and miRNAs in medullary thyroid cancer cells
Diğer yayınlar > Diğer · 2024
Yazarlar: Onurcan YILDIRIM, Mücahit Seçme, Yavuz Dodurga, Gülçin Abban Mete, Semin Melahat Fenkci
Diğer, Uluslararası, 2024,
Özet
Abstract Background: Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a highly aggressive and chemotherapy-resistant cancer that originates from the thyroid's parafollicular C cells. Due to its resistance to conventional treatments, alternative treatments such as boric acid have been explored.Boric acid, a boron-based compound, has demonstrated anticarcinogenic effects, making it a potential candidate for MTC treatment. Methods: Cell viability was assessed using the 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) assay. Total RNA was extracted using Trizol reagent for gene expression and microRNA (miRNA) analysis via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The extent of apoptosis induced by boric acid was determined using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Colony formation assays were also conducted to evaluate the impact of boric acid on the colony-forming ability of MTC cells. Results: At 48 hours, The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of boric acid was found to be 35 μM. Treatment with boric acid resulted in significant modulation of apoptosis-related genes and miRNAs, including increased expression of NOXA, apoptotic protease activating factor 1 (APAF-1), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), caspase-3,and caspase-9, which are associated with apoptosis. In contrast, the expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) , B‐ cell lymphoma‐ extra-large (Bcl-xl) and microRNA-21 (miR-21), which are linked to the aggressiveness of MTC, was significantly reduced. The TUNEL assay indicated a 14% apoptosis rate, and there was a 67.9% reduction in colony formation, as shown by the colony formation assay. Conclusion: Our study suggests that boric acid may have anticancer activity in MTC by modulating apoptotic pathways. These findings suggest that boric acid could be a potential therapeutic agent for MTC, and possibly for other malignancies with similar pathogenic mechanisms.