Inhibition of UVB-induced nonmelanoma skin cancer: A path from tea to caffeine to exercise to decreased tissue fat

Allan H. Conney, You Rong Lou, Paul Nghiem, Jamie J. Bernard, George C. Wagner, Yao Ping Lu

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Oral administration of green tea, black tea, or caffeine (but not the decaffeinated teas) inhibited ultraviolet B radiation (UVB)-induced skin carcinogenesis in SKH-1 mice. Studies with caffeine indicated that its inhibitory effect on the ATR/Chk1 pathway is an important mechanism for caffeine's inhibition of UVB-induced carcinogenesis. The regular teas or caffeine increased locomotor activity and decreased tissue fat. In these studies, decreased dermal fat thickness was associated with a decrease in the number of tumors per mouse. Administration of caffeine, voluntary exercise, and removal of the parametrial fat pads all stimulated UVB-induced apoptosis, inhibited UVB-induced carcinogenesis, and stimulated apoptosis in UVB-induced tumors. These results suggest that caffeine administration, voluntary exercise, and removal of the parametrial fat pads inhibit UVB-induced carcinogenesis by stimulating UVB-induced apoptosis and by enhancing apoptosis in DNA-damaged precancer cells and in cancer cells. We hypothesize that tissue fat secretes antiapoptotic adipokines that have a tumor promoting effect.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationNatural Products in Cancer Prevention and Therapy
EditorsJohn Pezzuto, Nanjoo Suh
Pages61-72
Number of pages12
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013

Publication series

NameTopics in Current Chemistry
Volume329
ISSN (Print)0340-1022

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry

Keywords

  • Adipokines
  • Sunlight-induced skin cancer

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