Tumor research: chilli prevents colon cancer

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MunichThe substance that makes chillies hot and makes us sweat while eating could possibly prevent tumors in the intestine: capsaicin. American researchers found out exactly how this works in experiments with mice.

The agitator in the pods activates an ion channel called TRPV1. For a long time it was thought that this was only sitting on nerve cells. There it is responsible for ensuring that we perceive sharpness, heat and acidity. The research team led by Petrus de Jong from the University of California has now found that this molecular regulator is also present in cells of the intestine. There it obviously has a different function - it acts as a tumor control.

Control police at the fresh cell cure

This is because TRPV1 interacts with the growth factor EGFR. Our cells are constantly renewing themselves through such growth factors. And EFGR ensures that our intestinal wall receives a fresh cell treatment every four to six days. If this system gets out of control, the cells grow uncontrollably and a tumor develops. “A basic level of EGFR is necessary for normal cell renewal. But as soon as EGFR gets out of hand, the likelihood of tumor formation increases, ”says de Jong. And exactly this monitoring is done by TRPV1.

Experiments with mice helped the researchers to elucidate this molecular mechanism. Rodents that were genetically modified so that they did not have TRPV1 were more likely to develop colon cancer. In a second experiment, the scientists mixed capsaicin into the food of mice that were genetically programmed to develop intestinal tumors. The active ingredient was not administered to a control group. Rodents that had received the active ingredient in chilli developed tumors less often and their life expectancy increased by 30 percent compared to untreated animals.

Permanent activation of the tumor controller?

The charmer capsaicin has many positive health effects. For example, it also has an anti-inflammatory effect and reduces the feeling of hunger - so it helps with weight loss. De Jong and colleagues see a concrete application for tumor prevention first of all for people with a high risk of colon cancer. “You could benefit from permanent activation of TRPV1,” says study coordinator Eyal Raz. In a next step, the researchers want to test whether this works on humans. (away)

Source: De Jong et al .: Ion channel TRPV1-dependent activation of PTP1B suppresses EGFR-associated intestinal tumorigenesis,The Journal of Clinical Investigation, Aug. 1, 2014

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