Sulfur inhibits the growth of androgen-independent prostate cancer in vivo

Duan,Fei; Li,Yuhua; Chen,Liangkang; Zhou,Xiaoyu; Chen,Jianxing; Chen,Hailin; Li,Runsheng

doi:10.3892/ol.2014.2700

Sulfur inhibits the growth of androgen-independent prostate cancer in vivo

Authors:
- Fei Duan
- Yuhua Li
- Liangkang Chen
- Xiaoyu Zhou
- Jianxing Chen
- Hailin Chen
- Runsheng Li
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Affiliations: Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China, Key Laboratory of Contraceptive Drugs and Devices of NPFPC, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
Published online on: November 11, 2014 https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2014.2700
Pages: 437-441

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Abstract

Sulfur is a bright yellow crystalline solid at room temperature. The aim of the present study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of sulfur on prostate cancer (PCa) in vivo. Prostate tumors were developed by injecting 22Rv1 or DU‑145 PCa cells into sulfur‑treated or untreated nude mice. The weight and volume of the tumors were measured. The cancer cells were separated from the tumors, and analyzed for their growth rate and clonogenicity in culture. The expression of PCa‑targeted genes was also assessed using real‑time polymerase chain reaction. The rate of growth of 22Rv1 tumors in sulfur‑treated nude mice gradually decreased, and was reduced by 41.99% (P<0.01) after 22 days when compared with that of the control group. In addition, the growth of DU‑145 tumors was also suppressed by 75.16% (P<0.05) after 11 weeks. The clonogenicity of the sulfur‑treated tumor cells decreased by 36.7% when compared with that of the control cells. However, no significant difference in cell growth was identified. mRNA levels of the androgen‑receptor, prostate specific antigen and human Hox (NKX3.1) genes were significantly decreased by 32.8, 48.2 and 42.2% in sulfur‑treated tumors, respectively. Additionally, it was found that the hydrogen sulfide concentration in the serum of sulfur‑treated mice was increased by 4.73% (P<0.05). Sulfur significantly suppressed the growth of PCa in vivo. Since sulfur is a known ingredient used in traditional Chinese medicine, it may be used clinically for the treatment of PCa, independently or in combination with other medicine.

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