MOMAST® Downregulates AQP3 Expression and Function in Human Colon Cells

The water channel AQP3 is an aquaglyceroporin expressed in villus epithelial cells, and it plays a role in water transport across human colonic surface cells. Beyond water, AQP3 can mediate glycerol and H₂O₂ transport. Abnormal expression and function of AQP3 have been found in various diseases often characterized by altered cell growth and proliferation. Here, the beneficial effects of MOMAST^® have been evaluated. MOMAST^® is an antioxidant-patented natural phenolic complex obtained from olive wastewater (OWW) of the Coratina cultivar. Treatment of human colon HCT8 cells with MOMAST^® reduced cell viability. Confocal studies and Western Blotting analysis demonstrated that treatment with MOMAST^® significantly decreased the staining and the expression of AQP3. Importantly, functional studies revealed that the reduction of AQP3 abundance correlates with a significant decrease in glycerol and H₂O₂ uptake. Indeed, the H₂O₂ transport was partially but significantly reduced in the presence of MOMAST^® or DFP00173, a selective inhibitor of AQP3. In addition, the MOMAST^®-induced AQP3 decrease was associated with reduced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins such as vimentin and β-catenin. Together, these findings propose MOMAST^® as a potential adjuvant in colon diseases associated with abnormal cell growth by targeting AQP3.