Effects of some flavor enhancer food additives on expression of cancer-related genes in MCF-7 and MCF-12A cells

Abstract

Food additives change the appearance and taste of foods, prevent their deterioration and keep them longer; are very important chemical compounds in terms of food technology. In this study, the cytotoxicity of the monosodium glutamate, monopotassium glutamate and magnesium di-glutamate salts of L-Glutamic acid are frequently used in foods as food additives and their effects on expression of cancer related (CYP1A1 and BCL-2) genes were investigated in MCF-7 and MCF-12A cell lines. For this purpose, different concentrations of MSG (437.5-27.34 mM), MPG (218.75-13.67 mM) and MDG (109.3-6.83 mM) treated with cells for 24 hours. According to the results, IC50 values of MSG, MPG and MDG were measured as 227.17, 84.64 and 80,27 mM for MCF-7 and 156.53, 197.24 and 14,05 mM for MCF-12A respectively. The most effective concentrations were determined as a result of MTT assay and expression analysis of CYP1A1 and BCL-2 genes were performed in both cell lines by qRT-PCR. BCL-2 gene; it was expressed more than its normal function against the substances in MCF-7 cells and caused unplanned cell proliferation in these cells, while it was detected that it was expressed less than its normal function in MCF-12A cells. Similarly, the CYP1A1 gene was found to be less express than its normal function in MCF-7 cells, while it was overexpressed in MCF-12A cells to against the toxicity from these agents. As a result of this study, the data showed that these food additives may cause both cytotoxicity and genotoxicity.