Inhibitory Effects of Glucosylceramide on Tumorigenesis Induced by a Carcinogen in Mice

Abstract

Objective: Glucosylceramide (Glu-Cer), a glycosylated form of ceramide, has been reported to have cytotoxic effects in the cells of various cancers. We previously reported that dietary Glu-Cer from rice bran had inhibitory effects on human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in nonobese diabetes (NOD)/severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. In HNSCC, preventing recurrence and second primary cancer is required to improve prognosis. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether dietary Glu-Cer had anticarcinogenic and antitumorigenic effects in a mouse model of HNSCC. Methods: A total of 40 CB6F1-Tg rasH2@Jcl mice were divided into two groups: control and Glu-Cer. All mice were given 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide for 24 weeks. Control group mice were fed the normal diet without Glu-Cer. The Glu-Cer group mice were given a mixture of the normal diet plus 0.25% Glu-Cer for 24 weeks. Microscopic examination was performed to identify grossly visible preneoplasms and neoplasms in the mouth, pharynx, and esophagus. Epithelial regions were classified as normal tissue, carcinoma in situ (CIS), or SCC; and the number of each type of region was counted. Results: Compared with the Glu-Cer group mice, control group mice more frequently developed individual and multiple tumors of each type, including CIS and SCC, in the mouth, pharynx, or esophagus. Conclusion: Tumor development was effectively inhibited by dietary Glu-Cer derived from rice bran, indicating that this and related compounds show promise as prophylactic agents for human HNSCC.

Dietary Sphingolipids Contribute to Health via Intestinal Maintenance

“…There are many reports regarding the benefits of dietary sphingolipids besides those described above, and these benefits include the inhibition of tumor growth and progression in xenograft models of cancer [105,106], selective activation of enteric bacteria [100,107,108], alleviation of atopic dermatitis [109], and improvement of skin barrier functions [110][111][112][113][114]. For example, Cer and complex sphingolipids derived from various foods have been demonstrated to improve the moisture content of the skin according to human and animal studies.…”

Oncological safety of platelet-rich fibrin application on the pharyngeal closure after total laryngectomy

“…Also, it is well known that chronic exposure to carcinogens leads to the development of several primary tumors [4]. The life span of platelets is 8-10 days.…”

A Decrease in the Hardness of Feces with Added Glucosylceramide Extracted from Koji In Vitro—A Working Hypothesis of Health Benefits of Dietary Glucosylceramide

“…Dietary glucosylceramide has been reported to prevent colon preneoplastic lesions [ 21 ], prevent head and neck cancers [ 22 , 23 ], inhibit colorectal cancer [ 24 ], inhibit throat cancer [ 25 ], inhibit inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [ 26 , 27 , 28 ], improve atopic dermatitis, maintain skin moisture [ 29 ], improve lipid metabolism [ 26 , 30 ], improve cholesterol metabolism [ 31 ], improve intestinal microbial flora [ 32 , 33 ], and relieve bile acid pressure [ 34 ].…”