Genetic Markers Indicate that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D Treatment may not Protect Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Objectives: The impact of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells is a complicated area. In this study, we aimed to clarify the effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D on HCC cells according to genetic markers.
Methods: The optimal concentration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D is treated to HepG2 cells (250 nM at the 48th hour). From treated HepG2 cells, total Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) was isolated, and Ki-67, MMP-2, MMP-9, HIF-1α, hTERT, and piR823 gene expressions were determined by SYBR Green-based real-time polymerase chain reaction.
Results: Increased expressions of Ki-67, hTERT, and piR-823 were determined compared with the control group at the 48th hour after treatment (p<0.001), while decreased gene expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9, and HIF-1α were observed compared with the control group (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Currently, there are several different opinions about the usage of vitamin D, especially in HCC. In addition to researchers who argue that vitamin D has anticarcinogenic and protective properties, an increasing number of researchers argue that tumor cells can become aggressive after HCC occurs. According to our results, it was determined that vitamin D causes HepG2 HCC cells to become aggressive in terms of gene expression in the parameters used as a marker for proliferation, adhesion, and differentiation.
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