Cytotoxic Effect of Cholesterol Metabolites on Human Colonic Tumor (Caco-2) and Non-Tumor (CCD-18Co) Cells and Their Potential Implication in Colorectal Carcinogenesis
Unabsorbed cholesterol, along with that of bile secretions and flaked colon cells, can be metabolized by colonic microbiota. The generated metabolites have been proposed as promoters of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, the cytotoxicity (MTT assay) of the main commercially available cholesterol-derived metabolites (coprostanol, cholestanol, coprostanone, and cholestenone) on human colon cancer (Caco-2) and non-tumor (CCD-18Co) cells was evaluated at different physiologically relevant concentrations (9.4–300 µM) and incubation times (24–72 h). In general, the metabolites that most reduced cell viability were coprostanone (54–85% in Caco-2 and 20–81% in CCD- 18Co) and cholestenone (17–91% in Caco-2 and 14–81% in CCD-18Co). These two metabolites are the most hydrophobic, thus reflecting a possible relationship between hydrophobicity and cytotoxicity. Moreover, cholestenone (IC50 at 72 h: 5 ± 1 µg/mL) should be considered cytotoxic on CCD- 18Co cells (non-tumor cells) since it shows an IC50 close to the one considered toxic (<4 µg/mL). Furthermore, CCD-18Co cells are more vulnerable to the cytotoxic effect of cholesterol metabolites. Possible compensatory responses, attenuating the reduction in cell viability caused by cholesterol metabolites, were observed, however these reactions could favor inflammation, resistance to apoptosis, and cellular proliferation, likely contributing to the development of CRC. In conclusion, cholesterol metabolites, mainly the most hydrophobic, could act as promoters of CRC through their cytotoxic activity.