Effects of nutrients on matrix metalloproteinases in human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 positive and negative malignant T-lymphocytes
Authors: Rania Azar
Mona Diab-Assaf
Steve Harakeh
Aleksandra Niedzwiecki
Mathias Rath
Taha Kumosani
Elie Barbour
Ghazi A Damanhouri
Ahmed Al-Hejin
Raefa Abou-Khouzam
Journal: International Journal of Oncology (2014)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: nutrient synergy mixture; ascorbic acid; lysine; proline; arginine
Affiliations: Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia., Molecular Tumor-genesis and Anticancer Pharmacology, EDST, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon., Department of Hematology, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia., Department of Biological Sciences, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia., Department of Biochemistry, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia., Dr. Rath Research Institute, Santa Clara, CA, USA., Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, American University of Beirut (AUB), Beirut 11-0236, Lebanon.

Abstract:  Experimental and clinical studies have revealed the effectiveness of a specific nutrient synergy (SNS) mixture composed of ascorbic acid (AA), lysine, proline, arginine, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and other micronutrients in targeting crucial physiological mechanisms involved in cancer progression and metastasis. HTLV-1 causes adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). The spread and metastases of ATL as well as other tumors has been associated with matrix metalloproteinases, especially the gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9. The objective of this study was to investigate whether SNS, AA and EGCG affects the gelatinolytic activity of MMP-2 and its transcriptional and translational levels in HTLV-1-positive and -negative malignant T-cells. The results indicated that SNS and EGCG caused a dose-dependent decline in the activity, transcription and translation of MMP-2 after treatment with SNS and EGCG, while AA was only able to inhibit the activity at maximum doses tested and to some extent, the protein expression levels of MMP-2, without affecting their transcriptional levels. The highest activity was noted in the case of SNS which is likely to be due to a synergistic effect of the different constituents in the formulation. These results point towards the potential integration of SNS in the anti-invasive treatment of ATL and related diseases. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Figure 4 may have at least one set of repeated bands. *** Enhanced contrast  ***  , 
 Figure 5 may also include repeated bands. I did not look elsewhere in this paper. *** Enhanced contrast  , 
 There was no effect when comparing the two concentrations. They were run on the same gel and got the same bands. We can provide if needed more evidence including photo of the whole gel. Thanks, Steve , 
 #3 Thank you for your reply. Yes, it would be ideal if you could post the original scans here. , 
 Were the authors able to locate the uncropped scan? , 
 Additional concerns in Figure 6. I notified the journal today. ***  ,