The Antimetastatic and Antiangiogenesis Effects of Kefir Water on Murine Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract

Background. Kefir is a unique cultured product that contains beneficial probiotics. Kefir culture from other parts of the world exhibits numerous beneficial qualities such as anti-inflammatory, immunomodulation, and anticancer effects. Nevertheless, kefir cultures from different parts of the world exert different effects because of variation in culture conditions and media. Breast cancer is the leading cancer in women, and metastasis is the major cause of death associated with breast cancer. The antimetastatic and antiangiogenic effects of kefir water made from kefir grains cultured in Malaysia were studied in 4T1 breast cancer cells. Methods. 4T1 cancer cells were treated with kefir water in vitro to assess its antimigration and anti-invasion effects. BALB/c mice were injected with 4T1 cancer cells and treated orally with kefir water for 28 days. Results. Kefir water was cytotoxic toward 4T1 cells at IC50 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) of 12.5 and 8.33 mg/mL for 48 and 72 hours, respectively. A significant reduction in tumor size and weight (0.9132 ± 0.219 g) and a substantial increase in helper T cells (5-fold) and cytotoxic T cells (7-fold) were observed in the kefir water–treated group. Proinflammatory and proangiogenic markers were significantly reduced in the kefir water–treated group. Conclusions. Kefir water inhibited tumor proliferation in vitro and in vivo mainly through cancer cell apoptosis, immunomodulation by stimulating T helper cells and cytotoxic T cells, and anti-inflammatory, antimetastatic, and antiangiogenesis effects. This study brought out the potential of the probiotic beverage kefir water in cancer treatment.

Description of a Novel Probiotic Concept: Implications for the Modulation of the Immune System

“…Since the benefits of non-dairy probiotic drinks are well acknowledged and range from immunomodulation to anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities (Zamberi et al, 2016), we decided to further enhance these positive aspects by using a known antiinflammatory and immune-modulating glycosaminoglycan, chondroitin sulfate, endowed with prebiotic properties as an addition to the array of probiotic microbes that had proven efficient in the probiotic fermented milk product described above. The rationale for adding chondroitin sulfate lays in its dual role as a prebiotic synergizing with the probiotic strains comprised in the formula and as a supplement endowed with a number of healthy properties (Shang et al, 2016;Ruggiero et al, 2016).…”

<p>Construction and Comprehensive Analysis of a ceRNA Network to Reveal Potential Novel Biomarkers for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer</p>

“…Hence, identifying TNBC-related regulatory factors during the current research is crucial to access effective TNBC treatments in the near future. 40 With the development of high‐throughput sequencing technology, research on lncRNA–mRNA has attracted the attention in transcription factor regulation and has enlightenment significance for disease gene prioritization, such as a specific coordinately regulatory network (CRN), 41 especially in ceRNA networks. 42 A growing body of evidence has shown that ceRNA‐related genes greatly influence the tumourigenesis, progression and prognosis in a great majority of cancers.…”

Ready to Use Therapeutical Beverages: Focus on Functional Beverages Containing Probiotics, Prebiotics and Synbiotics

“…In a study by Jalali et al [111], the consumption of kefir has been associated with decreased cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis to control human acute erythroleukemia. Kefir administration has also been reported to have ex-vivo anti-inflammatory, anti-metabolic, and antiseptic effects as well as in vitro reduction of cell proliferation, migration and invasion of 4T1 cells [112]. Despite the reports of the positive effects of dairy-based probiotic drinks, they may affect consumer health, e.g., due to lactose malabsorption, allergy to milk proteins, high fat content, and cholesterol content.…”