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Effect of Zeranol on Proliferation of Human Breast Cancer Cells and Evaluation of Estrogenic Activity

ZHONG Sai-yi,LIU Shou-chun,QIN Xiao-ming,WANG Wei-min,LIN Hua-juan,CHEN Su-hua   

  1. 1. College of Food Science and Technology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524005, China;2. Beijing Research Center for Information Technology in Agriculture, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
  • Online:2013-06-15 Published:2013-06-03

Abstract:

Objective: To explore the effect of zeranol on the proliferation of human breast cancer cells and its estrogenic
activity. Methods: in vitro cell culture model was employed and estrogen receptor-positive and estrogen receptor-negative
human breast cancer cells were exposed to different doses of Zeranol. The cell proliferation was tested by MTS/PMS assay
and the cell growth curve of MCF-7 was measured by trypan blue staining and hemocytometer counting. Moreover, the
estrogenic effect of zeranol and its correlation with estrogen receptors were evaluated using estrogen receptor antagonist
ICI 182,780 as a too1. Results: Zeranol (2-50 nmol/L) effectively induced the proliferation of MCF-7 cells, but showed no
effect on ER-negative MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, its effect on MCF-7 cell proliferation was completely blocked by ICI
182,780. Conclusion: Low dose of Zeranol can stimulate the growth of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cell and has
relatively potent estrogenic activity presumably via estrogen receptor α-mediated pathway.

Key words: Zeranol, human breast cancer cells, proliferation, estrogenic activity, estrogen receptor