Utilizing 13C NMR to track the biochemical effect of Dichloroacetate on glycolysis in cultured colorectal cancer cells*

Dichloroacetate (DCA), which is a modified form of acetate, has the potential to be employed as a medication due to its ability to inhibit pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK), ultimately increasing the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and promoting the conversion of pyruvate into acetyl-CoA, a precursor for lactate production. While it has primarily been under investigation in clinical trials for cancer treatment, DCA has displayed promise in addressing diabetes, as well as issues related to lipid and lipoprotein regulation. This particular study examines how DCA affects the metabolic processes of glucose in cultured colorectal cancer cells using 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Findings from examining various cell lines of colon cancer treated with different doses of DCA (0 mM, 10 mM, and 50 mM) indicate that higher concentrations of DCA lead to a reduction in the production of lactate by these cells and eventual death. The details of these results will be presented.