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The effect of flavonoids on mitochondria activity and cellular metabolism
Author(s) -
Nguyen Duong T.,
Ng Alexander S.,
White J. Brandon
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.915.14
Subject(s) - flavonoid , cytotoxicity , apigenin , viability assay , quercetin , biochemistry , trypan blue , glucose uptake , chemistry , carbohydrate metabolism , cancer cell , biology , pharmacology , cell , cancer , endocrinology , in vitro , insulin , antioxidant , genetics
Studies have described the beneficial effects of dietary polyphenols such as flavonoids on the reduction of the risk of chronic diseases. We and others have shown that flavonoids can induce cellular cytotoxicity in breast cancer cell lines. More recently, we have identified that some flavonoids stimulate ATP production in breast cancer cell lines. Our research has focused on characterizing flavonoid stimulatation of ATP production. Fourteen different flavonoids were screened at different concentrations and incubation times in MDA‐MB‐231 cells. Trypan blue exclusion assay was performed to measure cell viability. Glucose uptake by the cells was measured in both low and high glucose. ATP assays were conducted to measure ATP levels in the cells at different flavonoid concentrations and in both low and high glucose. Our preliminary results indicate that the four out of fourteen flavonoids stimulate ATP production in breast cancer cells (apigenin, genistein, kaempherol, and quercetin). However, the level of stimulation depends upon the glucose levels; more stimulation was seen in high glucose compared to low glucose. There is also a correlation between the amount of glucose and cell viability; in low glucose cells are protected from flavonoid cytotoxicity. Taken together, these results suggest that mitochondrial activity is required for flavonoid induced cellular cytotoxicity.