Summary
A new study is helping to clear up the mystery surrounding alcohol and cancer. The report, published in the January issue of CANCER, shows how alcohol promotes the production of a growth factor which stimulates blood vessel development in tumors.
Original source:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/12/041220023731.htm
Details
For the first time scientists have demonstrated a model that may explain how alcohol stimulates tumor growth.
says alcohol fuels the production of a growth factor that stimulates blood vessel development in tumors, and that chronic ethanol increased tumor size and levels of the angiogenic factor and levels of the angiogenic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in an experimental model.
For almost a hundred years mounting epidemiological evidence has linked alcohol use to an increased risk of cancers of the stomach, esophagus, liver, breast, and colon.
Researchers have never developed an adequate model to explain how ethanol or a metabolite of ethanol may cause cancer.
Hypotheses abound, and include such diverse theories as acetaldehyde carcinogenicity, dietary imbalances, and impaired nutrient metabolism and detoxification due to alcohol consumption, activation of precancerous enzymes, and suppression of the immune system.
Recent data in a cellular model has demonstrated that ethanol increases cellular production of VEGF, an important signaling protein in blood vessel growth, particularly in tumors.
M.D. from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and colleagues further investigated the possible mechanism between ethanol-induced blood vessel growth and VEGF using a chick embryo model.
The investigators exposed chick embryos inoculated with fibrosarcoma cells to saline or physiologically relevant levels of ethanol for nine days.
The investigators found that compared to the saline control group, the embryos exposed to
ethanol experienced increases in tumor size, tumor blood vessel density, cancer cell infiltration of blood vessels, and VEGF levels.
The authors say their findings "support the hypothesis that the induction of angiogenesis and VEGF expression by ethanol represent an important mechanism of cancer progression associated with alcoholic beverage consumption."
About the author: Mike Adams is a natural health author and award-winning journalist with a strong interest in personal health, the environment and the power of nature to help us all heal He has authored and published thousands of articles, interviews, consumers guides, and books on topics like health and the environment, and he has authored and published several downloadable personal preparedness courses including a downloadable course focused on safety and self defense. Adams is a trusted, independent journalist who receives no money or promotional fees whatsoever to write about other companies' products. In mid 2010, Adams produced TV.NaturalNews.com, a natural health video sharing website offering user-generated videos on nutrition, green living, fitness and more. He's also the founder and CEO of a well known email mail merge software developer whose software, 'Email Marketing Director,' currently runs the NaturalNews email subscriptions. Adams also serves as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a non-profit consumer protection group, and regularly pursues cycling, nature photography, Capoeira and Pilates. Known by his callsign, the 'Health Ranger,' Adams posts his missions statements, health statistics and health photos at www.HealthRanger.org
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Tuesday, January 18, 2005
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