Magnesium Chloride is an Effective Therapeutic Agent for Prostate Cancer

Authors

  • Julianna Maria Santos Texas Tech University
  • Fazle Hussain Texas Tech University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v8i1.368

Abstract

Background: Reduced levels of magnesium can cause several diseases and increase cancer risk. Motivated by magnesium chloride’s (MgCl2) non-toxicity, physiological importance, and beneficial clinical applications, we studied its action mechanism and possible mechanical, molecular, and physiological effects in prostate cancer with different metastatic potentials.

Methods: We examined the effects of MgCl2, after 24 and 48 hours, on apoptosis, cell migration, expression of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, and V-H+-ATPase, myosin II (NMII) and the transcription factor NF Kappa B (NFkB) expressions.

Results: MgCl2 induces apoptosis, and significantly decreases migration speed in cancer cells with different metastatic potentials.  MgCl2 reduces the expression of V-H+-ATPase and myosin II that facilitates invasion and metastasis, suppresses the expression of vimentin and increases expression of E-cadherin, suggesting a role of MgCl2 in reversing the EMT. MgCl2 also significantly increases the chromatin condensation and decreases NFkB expression.

Conclusions: These results suggest a promising preventive and therapeutic role of MgCl2 for prostate cancer. Further studies should explore extending MgCl2 therapy to in vivo studies and other cancer types.

Keywords: Magnesium chloride, prostate cancer, migration speed, V-H+-ATPase, and EMT.

Author Biographies

  • Julianna Maria Santos, Texas Tech University
    Mechanical Engineering
  • Fazle Hussain, Texas Tech University
    Mechanical Engineering, Internal Medicine, Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics

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Published

2018-01-31

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 1 (2018): January 2018

Section

Research Articles

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