Abstract
Betaines are food components widely distributed in plants, animals, microorganisms, and dietary sources. Among betaines, δ-valerobetaine (N,N,N-trimethyl-5-aminovaleric acid, δVB) shares a metabolic pathway common to γ-butyrobetaine (γBB). The biological properties of δVB are particularly attractive, as it possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. Here, we investigated the possible synergism between δVB and the structurally related γBB, to date unexplored, by testing the in vitro anticancer activity in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines, FaDu, UM-SCC-17A and Cal 27. Among cell lines tested, results indicated that betaines showed the highest effect in reducing Cal 27 cell proliferation up to 72 h (p < 0.01). This effect was enhanced when betaines were administered in combination (δVB plus γBB) (p < 0.001). Inhibition of cell growth by δVB plus γBB involved reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, upregulation of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and apoptosis (p < 0.001). SIRT1 gene silencing by small interfering RNA decreased the apoptotic effect of δVB plus γBB by modulating downstream procaspase-3 and cyclin B1 (p < 0.05). These findings might have important implications for novel prevention strategies for tongue squamous cell carcinoma by targeting SIRT1 with naturally occurring betaines.