Sulfobetaine (dimethylsulfoniopropionate) and glycine betaine show incompatible involvement in crucial Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in mice.

OBJECTIVE

The role of methylation reactions in cancer was examined using the methylating agents, sulfobetaine [dimethylsulfonioproponate (DMSP)], and glycine betaine (GB), in murine crucial Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) for up to 10 days.

RESULTS

DMSP administration in EAC-bearing mice mitigated EAC, while GB administration clearly promoted EAC. However, the immune cell profiles did not differ largely between animals receiving DMSP and those receiving GB. Moreover, DMSP and GB had merely any effects on proliferation of EAC cells in vitro. Injection of DMSP into normal mice interestingly led to macrophage accumulation in the peritoneal cavity in a dose-dependent manner at early rearing.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that GB promoted EAC by the methylation of cancer promotor gene, whereas DMSP ameliorated EAC by the accumulation of activated macrophages with a rapid response and long life span during cancer progression.