Deuterium depletion can decrease the expression of C-myc, Ha-ras and p53 gene in carcinogen-treated mice
Authors: Zoltan Gyongyi and Gabor Somlyai
In Vivo. 2000, May-Jun;14(3):437-9.
Abstract
In spite of the fact that the deuterium concentration is over 10 mmol/l in all living organisms, its possible role has been ignored for six decades. Recent studies have shown that the depletion of the naturally occurring deuterium can result in tumor regression in mice, dogs, cats and humans. The effect of deuterium depletion on gene expression plays a key part in tumor development.
The carcinogen, 7,12- dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) was used to increase gene expression in “short term” investigations. The expression of c-myc, Ha-ras and p53 gene was followed in CBA/Ca sensitive inbred mice drinking tap water or deuterium-depleted water (DDW) after induction. By detecting the RNA expression 48 hours after exposure to the cancerinogen it was found that the expression of all genes investigated was inhibited in six different organs (spleen, lung, thymus, kidney, liver and lymph node) in the DDW-treated group. It is suggested that genes playing a key role in the cell cycle regulation and tumor development are sensitive to deuterium depletion.