Curcumin's inhibition of intestinal tumors is associated with changes in the intestinal immune cell profile. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Inhibition of intestinal tumors by curcumin is associated with changes in the intestinal immune cell profile.
J Surg Res. 2000 Apr;89(2):169-75. PMID: 10729246
Department of Surgery, The New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA.
BACKGROUND: The C57BL/6J-Min/+ (Min/+) mouse bears a germline mutation in Apc and is therefore a model for familial adenomatous polyposis and sporadic colorectal cancer. Min/+ intestinal mucosa exhibits a marked tendency for spontaneous adenoma formation. Curcumin is a phenolic antioxidant known for its antitumor and immune modulatory functions in vitro. Curcumin prevents adenoma formation in Min/+ mice, through a mechanism that may be related to its immunomodulatory properties.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: To study the relationship between intestinal immunity and curcumin-induced antitumor response, we used immunohistochemistry to characterize the effect of curcumin treatment on resident intestinal immune effector cells in Min/+ mice.
RESULTS/CONCLUSION: These results show that mucosal CD4(+) T cells and B cells increase in animals treated with curcumin, suggesting that curcumin modulates lymphocyte-mediated immune functions.