Evidence shows that impaired mitochondrial function is a major cause of cancer.
Evidence shows that impaired mitochondrial function is a major cause of cancer.
The article “Cancer as a mitochondrial metabolic disease” (2015) suggests that cancer is the result of a metabolic disease in the cell, with the starting point being respiratory insufficiency of oxidative respiration in the mitochondria. This is in line with Otto Warburg's original idea.
The research “The Significance of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Cancer” (2020) gathered evidence that Enzymatic abnormalities in the TCA cycle, defects in mtDNA or ETC, and oxidative stress all promote cancer.
The review “Mitochondrial dysfunction and cancer metastasis” (2012) explains that metastatic cancer is associated with oxidative stress and defects in mitochondrial Ca²⁺ regulation.
The study “Role of mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer progression” (2016) states that mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to retrograde signaling to the nucleus. This causes cells to mutate and become more widespread.
Conclusion: Although there is still some debate But many studies support the idea that “Cancer results from impaired functioning of the mitochondria,” specifically addressing the mechanisms of the Warburg effect, oxidative stress, Ca²⁺ dysregulation and retrograde signaling.
Resveratrol extracted from mulberry and strengthens mitochondria. (Mitobiogenesis)
The article “Targeting Mitochondrial Biogenesis with Polyphenol Compounds” states that resveratrol can improve the efficiency of cellular respiration of mitochondria in muscle and C2C12 (myoblast), cancer cells and fibroblast cells by increasing the activity of ETC complexes I–IV and ATP levels.
The review book “Resveratrol‑Mediated Regulation of Mitochondria Biogenesis” points out that resveratrol can stimulate key factors in mitochondrial formation such as PGC‑1α, SIRT1, AMPK, NRF‑1/2 and TFAM.
Moreover, it has been reported that resveratrol induces apoptosis in cancer cells through a mechanism. Mitochondrial Ca²⁺ overload and reduced ATP production in the mitochondria trigger caspase-dependent cell death, especially in cancer cells. It hardly affects normal cells.
Summary mechanism of action
1. **Strengthening of mitochondria (mitochondrial biogenesis):**
Resveratrol stimulates the SIRT1–PGC‑1α–AMPK axis, leading to promotion of new mitochondria and increased activity of electron transport chain, ATP synthase, and mitochondrial aggregation. which helps balance metabolism (homeostasis) in cells
2. **Slows the spread of cancer:**
– In normal cells, ATP balance reduces oxidative stress and telomere fragility, which are associated with cancer.
– In cancer cells, resveratrol causes a decrease in ATP in the mitochondria, Ca²⁺ overflows into the mitochondria, causing apoptosis via caspase 3/7, with the ER‑mitochondria MAMs system being an important mechanism.