Diet and cancer prevention

Determination of genoprotection against cyclophosphamide induced toxicity in bone marrow of Swiss albino mice by Moringa oleifera leaves and Tinospora cordifolia stem

The present study aimed to determine the genoprotective activity and safety of Moringa oleifera leave and Tinospora cordifolia stem extracts against cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced genotoxicity utilizing Swiss albino mice. Animals were divided into 14 groups for subacute treatment with either M. oleifera or T. cordifolia extracts daily for 28 days. The extract doses selected were 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg b.w administered orally alone or combined with CP (50 mg/kg b.w. intraperitoneally daily for 5 days). Analyses performed included the comet assay, micronucleus test (MN) in bone marrow cells and sperm head abnormality assay (SHA). M. oleifera and T. cordifolia extracts induced no significant genotoxic effects on somatic and germ cells. In contrast, for all cells examined M. oleifera and T. cordifolia extracts inhibited DNA damage initiated by CP. Taken together data demonstrated that both plant extracts did not exhibit marked genotoxic effects but displayed potential chemoprotective properties against CP-induced genotoxicity in Swiss mice.

Nut consumption and urogenital and genital, gastrointestinal and women-related cancers: Assessment and review

The prevalence of cancer, especially in industrial countries, is a major problem for health and treatment systems. Cancer can affect the quality of life of all family members and has many negative effects on the community. Despite many advances in cancer treatment, this disease is still a major worldwide problem. There is strong evidence that dietary habits are effective in protecting against cancer and even helping in the disease treatment progress. Nuts with various biologically-active compounds, such as vitamins, phytosterols, isoflavones, flavonoids, and polyphenols have been reported to possess anticarcinogenic properties. Accordingly, this review provides an insight into the association between nut consumption and the prevention of some cancers. We considered the cancers related to the urogenital and genital tract, gastrointestinal tract, as well as women-related cancers. Both cell culture examinations and experimental animal studies alongside observational epidemiological studies demonstrated that regular consumption of a nut-enriched diet is able to reduce the risk of these cancers.

Advances in dendritic cell vaccination therapy of cancer

Traditionally, vaccines have helped eradication of several infectious diseases and also saved millions of lives in the human history. Those prophylactic vaccines have acted through inducing immune responses against a live attenuated, killed organism or antigenic subunits to protect the recipient against a real infection caused by the pathogenic microorganism. Nevertheless, development of anticancer vaccines as valuable targets in human health has faced challenges and requires further optimizations. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent antigen presenting cells (APCs) that play essential roles in tumor immunotherapies through induction of CD8+ T cell immunity. Accordingly, various strategies have been tested to employ DCs as therapeutic vaccines for exploiting their activity against tumor cells. Application of whole tumor cells or purified/recombinant antigen peptides are the most common approaches for pulsing DCs, which then are injected back into the patients. Although some hopeful results are reported for a number of DC vaccines tested in animal and clinical trials of cancer patients, such approaches are still inefficient and require optimization. Failure of DC vaccination is postulated due to immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), overexpression of checkpoint proteins, suboptimal avidity of tumor-associated antigen (TAA)-specific T lymphocytes, and lack of appropriate adjuvants. In this review, we have an overview of the current experiments and trials evaluated the anticancer efficacy of DC vaccination as well as focusing on strategies to improve their potential including combination therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Primary and Secondary Prevention Interventions to Reduce Risk Factors Associated with Colorectal Cancer in High-Risk Groups: a Systematic Literature Review

In the USA, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 2nd leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Certain groups in the USA are at an increased risk of developing CRC, including those with a genetic risk and family history. The purpose of this project was to synthesize primary and secondary prevention interventions for individuals who are at high risk of CRC due to family history or genetic predisposition. This study systematically reviewed articles from PubMed, Google Scholar, and EBSCO using specific search terms to find relevant articles. Sixteen articles were identified for full-text review, which were categorized as non-drug interventions (n = 7) and drug interventions (n = 9). Non-drug interventions focused primarily on increasing screening in those with a first-degree relative (FDR) with CRC or those with Lynch syndrome (LS). Interventions that increased CRC screening often had a tailored component and were otherwise varied in study designs and intervention type. Drug interventions focused on the use of NSAIDs on patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Studies showed very little racial and ethnic diversity. Findings suggest that tailored interventions are particularly effective in increasing CRC screening, and greater diversity of sample is needed with respect to race and ethnicity.

Lunasin and Its Epigenetic Impact in Cancer Chemoprevention

Cancer diseases are a leading cause of death worldwide. Therefore, it is pivotal to search for bioactive dietary compounds that can avert tumor development. A diet rich in vegetables, including legumes, provides chemopreventive substances, which have the potential to prevent many diseases, including cancer. Lunasin is a soy-derived peptide whose anti-cancer activity has been studied for over 20 years. The results of the previous research have shown that lunasin inhibits histone acetylation, regulates the cell cycle, suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis of cancer cells. Thus, lunasin seems to be a promising bioactive anti-cancer agent and a potent epigenetic modulator. The present review discusses studies of the underlying molecular mechanisms and new perspectives on lunasin application in epigenetic prevention and anti-cancer therapy.

Food groups and urologic cancers risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies

Background

To assess the association between 12 food groups intake and the risk of urologic cancers.

Methods

We scanned PubMed and Web of Science databases up to April 1st, 2023, and 73 publications met the inclusion criteria in the meta-analysis. We used a random effects model to estimate the summary risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Results

In the linear dose-response meta-analysis, an inverse association was found between each additional daily 100 g of fruits [RR: 0.89, 95%CI = (0.83, 0.97)], 100 g of vegetables [RR: 0.92, 95%CI = (0.85, 0.99)], 12 g of alcohol [RR: 0.91, 95%CI = (0.88, 0.94)] and 1 cup of coffee [RR: 0.95, 95%CI = (0.83, 0.97)] intake and the risk of renal cell carcinoma. Conversely, each additional daily 100 g of red meat intake was positively associated with renal cell carcinoma [RR: 1.41, 95%CI = (1.03, 2.10)]. Inverse associations were observed between each additional daily 50 g of egg [RR: 0.73, 95%CI = (0.62, 0.87)] and each additional daily 1 cup of tea consumption and bladder cancer risk [RR: 0.97, 95%CI = (0.94, 0.99)]. There were no significant associations for nonlinear dose-response relationships between 12 food groups and urological cancers.

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis strengthens the evidence that appropriate intake of specific food groups, such as fruits, vegetables, alcohol, tea, and coffee, is associated with the risk of renal cell carcinoma or bladder cancer. More studies are required to fill the knowledge gap on the links between various food groups and urologic cancers because the evidence was less credible in this meta-analysis.

Systematic Review Registration

This study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022340336).

Role of Maternal Diet in the Risk of Childhood Acute Leukemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Many studies have investigated the etiology of acute leukemia, one of the most common types of cancer in children; however, there is a lack of clarity regarding preventable risk factors. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the current evidence regarding the role of maternal dietary factors in the development of childhood leukemia. All epidemiological studies published until July 2022 that evaluated maternal dietary risk factors for childhood acute leukemia were identified in two electronic databases (PubMed and Web of Science) without limits of publication year or language. A total of 38 studies (1 prospective cohort study, 34 case-control studies and 3 studies with pooled analysis) were included. The published risk estimates were combined into a meta-analysis, using the Generic Inverse Variance method. The maternal consumption of fruits (two or more daily servings vs. less) was inversely associated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (odds ratio = 0.71; 95% CI, 0.59-0.86), whereas maternal coffee intake (higher than two cups per day vs. no consumption) was associated with an increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (odds ratio = 1.45; 95% CI, 1.12-1.89). Despite these findings, more high-quality research from cohort studies and the identification of causal factors are needed to develop evidence-based and cost-effective prevention strategies applicable at the population level. Review Registration: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42019128937.

Enriched Riceberry Bran Oil Exerts Chemopreventive Properties through Anti-Inflammation and Alteration of Gut Microbiota in Carcinogen-Induced Liver and Colon Carcinogenesis in Rats

Riceberry has recently been acknowledged for its beneficial pharmacological effects. Riceberry bran oil (RBBO) exhibited anti-proliferation activity in various cancer cell lines. However, animal studies of RBBO on anti-carcinogenicity and its molecular inhibitory mechanism have been limited. This study purposed to investigate the chemopreventive effects of RBBO on the carcinogen-induced liver and colorectal carcinogenesis in rats. Rats were injected with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) and further orally administered with RBBO equivalent to 100 mg/kg body weight of γ-oryzanol 5 days/week for 10 weeks. RBBO administration suppressed preneoplastic lesions including hepatic glutathione S-transferase placental form positive foci and colorectal aberrant crypt foci. Accordingly, RBBO induced hepatocellular and colorectal cell apoptosis and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Interestingly, RBBO effectively promoted the alteration of gut microbiota in DEN- and DMH-induced rats, as has been shown in the elevated Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. This outcome was consistent with an increase in butyrate in the feces of carcinogen-induced rats. The increase in butyrate reflects the chemopreventive properties of RBBO through the mechanisms of its anti-inflammatory properties and cell apoptosis induction in preneoplastic cells. This would indicate that RBBO containing γ-oryzanol, phytosterols, and tocols holds significant potential in the prevention of cancer.

Comparison of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Camellia Oil From Hainan With Camellia Oil From Guangxi, Olive Oil, and Peanut Oil

Background/Aim: Camellia oil from Hainan (SY) is a unique vegetable oil in Hainan, China, due to the geographical environment and oil extraction only through simple physical treatments. To compare SY with camellia oil from Guangxi (SC), olive oil (GL), and peanut oil (HS), this study analyzed the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of four vegetable oils.

Methods: Using Gallic acid, BHT as the control, Saccharomyces cerevisiae as the model organism, the antioxidant activities of vegetable oils were measured in vitro and in vivo, and the antibacterial activity was measured with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method.

Results: The major contents of SY, SC, and HS were oleic Acid; the major content of GL was squalene. The highest total flavonoids content of SY was 39.50 ± 0.41 mg RE/g DW; and the highest total phenolic content of SC was 47.05 ± 0.72 mg GAE/g DW. SY exhibited the strongest scavenging activity of hydroxyl radical (HO·) and superoxide anions (O2-·), the IC₅₀ value were 2.06 mg/mL, 0.62 mg/mL, respectively; and SC showed the strongest DPPH· and ABTS· scavenging activity and the reducing abilities. SY showed excellent effect on survival rate, protection rate, flavonoids uptake of S. cerevisiae cells, decreased MDA content and ROS level, inhibited CAT, POD, and GR enzyme activity. The absorption of SC total phenols was the highest by cells. The activity showed GL had a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity.

Conclusion: Thus, SY shows potential antioxidant activity and provides an important reference value for people to choose edible vegetable oils.

Employ of Citrus By-product as Fat Replacer Ingredient for Bakery Confectionery Products

Citrus fruits processing is one of the foremost industrial activities in Sicily and the main residual by-product consists in peels and seeds (known as “pastazzo”). Traditionally this by-product has been used for different purposes, and only most recently, it has been described as source of a wide range of healthy bioactive compounds and dietary fibers. In the present work, a debittered food grade orange fiber (DOF), extracted from orange juice by-product, was experimentally obtained and tested as fat-replacer at different percentages (30, 50, and 70%) in bakery confectionery products (brioches). The DOF showed high total fiber content, low water activity and a high water binding capacity. The obtained bakery products were characterized for nutritional, technological and microbiological parameters through storage at room temperature. Results highlighted that the addition of DOF results in final products with increased moisture content, mainly after 1 day of storage, and good textural proprieties. Furthermore, the fat-replacing strategy, at different levels of DOF, resulted in final products with, besides a constant content of carbohydrates, showed lowered fat content, increased content of dietary fiber and protein. In particular, the 50% fat replacement allowed to obtain brioches with improved technological properties and with desirable microbiological traits, mostly within the first 24 h from production and up to 5 days of storage.

Inflammation factors and element supplementation in cancer

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with chosen minerals (Zn, Se, Fe) on expression of selected cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNFα) in spleen of rats and on their concentrations in rat serum under inflammatory and pathological conditions obtained by implantation of prostate cancer cells (LnCaP). Serum levels of metabolites of arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic and linoleic acids (hydroxyeicosatetraenoic, hydroxyeicosapentaenoic and hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids, respectively), as compounds involved in inflammation and cancer development, were also investigated. Male rats were randomised into dietary groups supplemented with Zn, Se or Fe. Prostate cancer cells were implanted to some rats in each group. The study demonstrated that minerals supplemented with the diet may exert various effects on an organism. Selenium, zinc and iron influence pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, what leads to stimulation of inflammation. They also affect synthesis of arachidonic and linoleic acid metabolites that exert pro-inflammatory action and enable cancer development and metastasis.

Epigenome, Transcriptome, and Protection by Sulforaphane at Different Stages of UVB-Induced Skin Carcinogenesis

Sulforaphane (SFN), a potent antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent, has been shown to protect against cancers especially at early stages. However, how SFN affects UVB-mediated epigenome/DNA methylome and transcriptome changes in skin photodamage has not been fully assessed. Herein, we investigated the transcriptomic and DNA methylomic changes during tumor initiation, promotion, and progression and its impact and reversal by SFN using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. The results show that SFN reduced tumor incidence and tumor number. SFN's protective effects were more dramatic in the early stages than with later stages. Bioinformatic analysis of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data shows differential expressed genes and identifies the top canonical pathways related to SFN treatment of UVB-induced different stages of epidermal carcinogenesis. These pathways include p53 signaling, cell cycle: G₂-M DNA damage checkpoint regulation, Th1, and Th2 activation pathway, and PTEN signaling pathways. The top upstream regulators related to UVB and SFN treatment as time progressed include dextran sulfate, TP53, NFE2L2 (Nrf2), IFNB1, and IL10RA. Bioinformatic analysis of Methyl-seq data shows several differential methylation regions induced by UVB were attenuated by SFN. These include Notch1, Smad6, Gnai3, and Apc2 Integrative analysis of RNA-seq and DNA-seq/CpG methylome yields a subgroup of genes associated with ultraviolet B (UVB) and SFN treatment. The changes in gene expression were inversely correlated with promoter CpG methylation status. These genes include Pik3cd, Matk, and Adm2 In conclusion, our study provides novel insights on the impact of SFN on the transcriptomic and DNA methylomic of UVB-induced different stages of skin cancer in mice.

Carrot Intake and Risk of Colorectal Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study of 57,053 Danes

Carrots are consumed worldwide. Several meta-analysis studies on carrot consumption have indicated that carrots play a central role as a protecting vegetable against development of different types of cancers. A cancer-preventive role of carrots is plausible because they are the main dietary source of the bioactive polyacetylenic oxylipins falcarinol (FaOH) and falcarindiol (FaDOH), which have shown anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activity in numerous in vitro studies. In addition, purified FaOH and FaDOH have, in recent studies in colorectal cancer (CRC)-primed rats, demonstrated an anti-neoplastic effect in a dose-dependent manner. The mechanisms of action for this effect appears to be due to inhibition of pro-inflammatory and transcription factor biomarkers for inflammation and cancer. However, studies of the CRC-preventive effect of carrots in a large cohort are still missing. We therefore examined the risk of being diagnosed with CRC as predicted by intake of carrots in a Danish population of 57,053 individuals with a long follow-up. Self-reported intake of raw carrots at a baseline of 2-4 carrots or more each week (>32 g/day) was associated with a 17% decrease in risk of CRC with a mean follow-up of >18 years, compared to individuals with no intake of raw carrots even after extensive model adjustments (HR 0.83 CI 95% 0.71; 0.98). An intake below 2-4 carrots each week (<32 g/day) was not significantly associated with reduced risk of CRC (HR 0.93 CI 95% 0.82; 1.06). The results of this prospective cohort study clearly support the results from studies in cancer-primed rats for CRC and hence a CRC-preventive effect of carrots.

The pro-apoptotic effect of a Terpene-rich Annona cherimola leaf extract on leukemic cell lines

BACKGROUND

The edible fruit Annona cherimola has previously shown many nutritional and medicinal properties. The current study evaluates the anti-cancer and anti-proliferative properties of Annona cherimola ethanolic leaf extract (AELE) on Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) cell lines cultured in vitro (Monomac-1 and KG-1).

METHODS

The anti-proliferative effect of A. cherimola ethanolic leaf extract was evaluated via cell viability assay. Its pro-apoptotic effect was assessed through Cell Death ELISA and dual Annexin V/PI staining. To further investigate the molecular mechanism by which the extract promoted apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation of the AML cells used, apoptotic protein expression was determined through western blots. Extract composition was elucidated by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).

RESULTS

Our results showed that the treatment with A. cherimola ethanolic leaf extract exhibited an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of both cancer cell lines used in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with no toxic effects on normal mononuclear cells (MNCs) isolated from human bone marrow. This effect was mediated by DNA fragmentation and apoptosis, as revealed by Cell Death ELISA and dual Annexin V/PI staining. Western blot analysis revealed a Bax/Bcl2 dependent mechanism of apoptosis, as well as PARP cleavage, confirming the apoptotic results observed previously. These effects may be attributed to the presence of terpenes which constitute a large component of the leafy extract, as revealed via GC-MS.

CONCLUSION

All the data presented in our study show that the terpene-rich A. cherimola ethanolic leaf extract exhibits an anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effect on the AML cell lines used.

Linseed Essential Oil - Source of Lipids as Active Ingredients for Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals

Linseed - also known as flaxseed - is known for its beneficial effects on animal health attributed to its composition. Linseed comprises linoleic and α-linolenic fatty acids, various dietary fibers and lignans, which are beneficial to health because they reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, as well as cancer, decreasing the levels of cholesterol and relaxing the smooth muscle cells in arteries increasing the blood flow. Essential fatty acids from flax participate in several metabolic processes of the cell, not only as structuring components of the cell membrane but also as storage lipids. Flax, being considered a functional food, can be consumed in a variety of ways, including seeds, oil or flour, contributing to basic nutrition. Several formulations containing flax are available on the market in the form of e.g. capsules and microencapsulated powders having potential as nutraceuticals. This paper revises the different lipid classes found in flaxseeds and their genomics. It also discusses the beneficial effects of flax and flaxseed oil and their biological advantages as ingredients in pharmaceuticals and in nutraceuticals products.

Moderate physical exercise improves lymphocyte function in melanoma-bearing mice on a high-fat diet

Background

Obesity can lead to a chronic systemic inflammatory state that increases the risk of cancer development. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the alterations in tumor non-infiltrated lymphocytes function and melanoma growth in animals maintained on a high-fat diet and/or moderate physical exercise program in a murine model of melanoma.

Methods

Female mice were randomly divided into eight groups: 1) normolipidic control (N), 2) normolipidic + melanoma (NM), 3) high-fat control (H), 4) high-fat + melanoma (HM), 5) normolipidic control + physical exercise (NE), 6) normolipidic melanoma + physical exercise (NEM), 7) high-fat control + physical exercise (HE), and 8) high-fat melanoma + physical exercise (HEM). After 8 weeks of diet treatment and/or moderate physical exercise protocol, melanoma was initiated by explanting B16F10 cells into one-half of the animals.

Results

Animals fed a high-fat diet presented high-energy consumption (30%) and body weight gain (H and HE vs N and NE, 37%; HM and HEM vs NM and NEM, 73%, respectively), whether or not they carried melanoma explants. Although the tumor growth rate was higher in animals from the HM group than in animals from any other sedentary group, it was reduced by the addition of a physical exercise regimen. We also observed an increase in stimulated peripheral lymphocyte proliferation and a decrease in the T-helper 1 response in the HEM group.

Conclusions

The results of the present study support the hypothesis that altering function of tumor non-infiltrated lymphocytes via exercise-related mechanisms can slow melanoma progression, indicating that the incorporation of a regular practice of moderate-intensity exercises can be a potential strategy for current therapeutic regimens in treating advanced melanoma.

Egg Consumption and Risk of Upper Aero-Digestive Tract Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Limited data are available that summarize the relation between egg intake and the risk of upper aero-digestive tract (UADT) cancers. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the association between egg intake and the risk of UADT cancers. Medline/PubMed, ISI web of knowledge, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched using relevant keywords. Observational studies conducted on humans investigating the association between egg consumption and the risk of UADT cancers were included. Overall, 38 studies with a total of 164,241 subjects (27, 025 cases) were included. Based on 40 effect sizes from 32 case-control studies, we found a 42% increased risk of UADT cancers among those with the highest egg consumption (ranging from ≥1 meal/d to ≥1 time/mo among studies) compared to those with the lowest intake (ranging from 0-20 g/d to never consumed among studies) (overall OR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.19, 1.68; P < 0.001). However, this association was only evident in hospital-based case-control (HCC) studies (OR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.34, 1.68; P < 0.001 for 'oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancer' and OR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.50; P = 0.004 for esophageal cancer) and not in population-based case-control (PCC) studies (OR = 1.25; 95% CI: 0.59, 2.67; P = 0.56 for 'oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancer' and OR: 1.29; 95% CI: 0.92, 1.81; P = 0.13 for esophageal cancer). In addition, the association was not significant in prospective cohort studies (overall OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.71, 1.04; P = 0.11). Considering individual cancers, a positive association was observed between the highest egg consumption, compared with the lowest, and risk of oropharyngeal (OR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.61, 2.20; P < 0.001), laryngeal (OR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.45, 2.32; P < 0.001), oral & pharyngeal & laryngeal (OR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.67; P < 0.001), and esophageal cancers (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.10,1.48; P = 0.001). We also found an inverse association between egg intake and the risk of oral cancer (OR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.62, 0.99; P = 0.04). In conclusion, high egg consumption (ranging from ≥1 meal/d to ≥1 time/mo among studies) was associated with increased risk of UADT cancers only in HCC studies but not in PCC or prospective cohort studies. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42018102619.

The anti-proliferative effect of apricot and peach kernel extracts on human colon cancer cells in vitro

Background

Colorectal malignant neoplasms is one of the leading causes of death in both men and women in the developed world and the incidence has recently increased markedly in South Africa. Studies have highlighted the beneficial effects of Amygdalin, a cyanogenic compound found in both peach and apricot kernels, in its ability to suppress the development of colon cancer. The focus of this study was to investigate the potential anti-proliferative properties of various apricot and peach kernels extractions from South Africa and China and to monitor alterations in cell cycle kinetics in colon cancer cells.

Methods

Studies were conducted on HT-29 colon cancer cells. The interactive role of three different kernel extractions on the modulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle progression was monitored over 24, 48 and 72 h periods.

Results

After 24 h, all extracts of the South African apricot kernels had a dose related bi-phasic proliferative effect on the HT-29 cells. It stimulated cell proliferation at the lowest and highest concentrations while at 500 μg/mL it inhibited cell proliferation. In contrast, after 72 h, the low concentration inhibited cell proliferation while the 500 μg/mL extracts stimulated cell proliferation. Morphological changes were observed in cells incubated with Chinese kernel extracts after 24 h and South African kernel treatment (1000 μg/mL) after 72 h. A possible intra-S-phase block after 24 and 48 h exposure to South African hydrophilic kernel extracts was observed. This transient block that is more concerned with tolerating and accommodating damage during replication rather than repairing it, could explain the initial anti-proliferative effects observed after 24 h exposure to the various Chinese kernel extract concentrations.

Conclusion

Abrogation of the block by exhaustion of the cyanide production, most likely allowed the cells to resume the cell cycle and continue into mitosis, whereas low ATP levels caused by the presence of amygdalin in the kernels, can also cause the induction of pycnosis or necrosis. These results highlight the possible mechanisms of growth inhibition by amygdalin containing extracts and may contribute towards the development of dietary anti-cancer therapies.

Vitamin K and its analogs: Potential avenues for prostate cancer management

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a relationship between cancer incidence and dietary habits. Especially intake of certain essential nutrients like vitamins has been shown to be beneficial in experimental studies and some clinical trials. Vitamin K (VK) is an essential nutrient involved in the blood clotting cascade, and there are considerable experimental data demonstrating its potential anticancer activity in several cancer types including prostate cancer. Previous in vitro and in vivo studies have focused mainly on anti-oxidative effects as the underlying anticancer mechanism of VK. However, recent studies reveal that VK inhibits the growth of cancer cells through other mechanisms, including apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, autophagy, and modulation of various transcription factors such as Myc and Fos. In the present review, we focus on the anticancer effect of dietary VK and its analogs on prostate cancer, with an emphasis on the signaling pathways that are activated following exposure to these compounds. This review also highlights the potential of VK and its derivatives as an adjuvant treatment in combination with other vitamins or with chemotherapeutic drugs. Based on our recent results and a review of the existing literature, we present evidence that VK and its derivatives can potentially be explored as cancer therapy, especially for prostate cancer.

Lung cancer and β-glucans: review of potential therapeutic applications

The potential of natural substances with immunotherapeutic properties has long been studied. β-glucans, a cell wall component of certain bacteria and fungi, potentiate the immune system against microbes and toxic substances. Moreover, β-glucans are known to exhibit direct anticancer effects and can suppress cancer proliferation through immunomodulatory pathways. Mortality of lung cancer has been alarmingly increasingly worldwide; therefore, treatment of lung cancer is an urgent necessity. Numerous researchers are now dedicated to using β-glucans as a therapy for lung cancer. In the present attempt, we have reviewed the studies addressing therapeutic effects of β-glucans in primary and metastatic lung cancer published in the time period of 1991-2016.

Prevention of Dietary-Fat-Fueled Ketogenesis Attenuates BRAF V600E Tumor Growth

Lifestyle factors, including diet, play an important role in the survival of cancer patients. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying pathogenic links between diet and particular oncogenic mutations in human cancers remain unclear. We recently reported that the ketone body acetoacetate selectively enhances BRAF V600E mutant-dependent MEK1 activation in human cancers. Here we show that a high-fat ketogenic diet increased serum levels of acetoacetate, leading to enhanced tumor growth potential of BRAF V600E-expressing human melanoma cells in xenograft mice. Treatment with hypolipidemic agents to lower circulating acetoacetate levels or an inhibitory homolog of acetoacetate, dehydroacetic acid, to antagonize acetoacetate-BRAF V600E binding attenuated BRAF V600E tumor growth. These findings reveal a signaling basis underlying a pathogenic role of dietary fat in BRAF V600E-expressing melanoma, providing insights into the design of conceptualized "precision diets" that may prevent or delay tumor progression based on an individual's specific oncogenic mutation profile.

Association of maternal and index child's diet with subsequent leukemia risk: A systematic review and meta analysis

BACKGROUND

Exploring the effect of maternal and/or childhood diet on offspring leukemogenesis is challenging, given differences in food group categories, their potentially variable impact depending on time window of exposure and the multiple leukemia subtypes. We opted to quantitatively synthesize published data on the association of maternal/child diet with leukemia risk.

METHODS

Medline was searched until June 30th, 2016 for eligible articles on the association of childhood leukemia with consumption of (i) food groups, excluding alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and (ii) specific dietary supplements before/during index pregnancy and childhood.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies of case-control design (N=11,720 cases/18,721 controls) were included, of which nine assessed maternal dietary components, five index child's and four both, mainly focusing on acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Statistically significant inverse estimates for ALL were found (2 studies, 413 cases, 490 controls) for fruit (OR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.99); vegetables (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.94); legumes (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.62, 0.94); fish (OR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.53, among the 0-4year old; 2 studies 215 cases, 215 controls); preconception folic acid supplementation (OR: 0.69, 95%CI: 0.50-0.95; published meta analysis plus 2 studies, 3511 cases, 6816 controls); and use of vitamins during pregnancy (OR: 0.81, 95%CI: 0.74-0.88; published meta analysis plus one study, 5967 cases, 8876 controls). The associations (2 studies) of the remaining food groups and maternal dietary supplements consumption during pregnancy as well as of childhood diet and supplements intake (2-4 studies) were non significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal consumption of specific food groups comprising"healthy" items of the Mediterranean diet, preconception use of folic acid and intake of vitamins during pregnancy were associated with decreased ALL risk. Further research is needed, however preferably with homogeneous dietary information and data on immunophenotypic/cytogenetic subtypes to also explore the interaction of specific macro- and micronutrients intake with gene polymorphisms.

Systemic Metabolite Changes in Wild-type C57BL/6 Mice Fed Black Raspberries

INTRODUCTION

Freeze-dried black raspberries (BRBs) elicit chemopreventive effects against colorectal cancer in humans and in rodents. The objective of this study was to investigate potential BRB-caused metabolite changes using wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice.

METHODS AND RESULTS

WT mice were fed either control diet or control diet supplemented with 5% BRBs for 8 wk. A nontargeted metabolomic analysis was conducted on colonic mucosa, liver, and fecal specimens collected from both diet groups. BRBs significantly changed the levels of 41 colonic mucosa metabolites, 40 liver metabolites, and 34 fecal metabolites compared to control diet-fed mice. BRBs reduced 34 lipid metabolites in colonic mucosa and increased levels of amino acids in liver. One metabolite, 3-[3-(sulfooxy) phenyl] propanoic acid, might be a useful biomarker of BRB consumption. In addition, BRB powder was found to contain 30-fold higher levels of linolenate compared to control diets. Consistently, multiple omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs), including stearidonate, docosapentaenoate (ω-3 DPA), eicosapentaenoate (EPA), and docosahexaenoate (DHA), were significantly elevated in livers of BRB-fed mice.

CONCLUSION

The data from the current study suggest that BRBs produce systemic metabolite changes in multiple tissue matrices, supporting our hypothesis that BRBs may serve as both a chemopreventive agent and a beneficial dietary supplement.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer chemoprevention by phytochemicals from dietary and medicinal plants

Cancer chemoprevention, a scientific term coined by Dr. Sporn in the late seventies, implies use of natural or synthetic chemicals to block, delay or reverse carcinogenesis. Phytochemicals derived from edible and medicinal plants have been studied rather extensively for cancer chemoprevention using preclinical models in the past few decades. Nevertheless, some of these agents (e.g., isothiocyanates from cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and watercress) have already entered into clinical investigations. Examples of widely studied and highly promising phytochemicals from edible and medicinal plants include cruciferous vegetable constituents (phenethyl isothiocyanate, benzyl isothiocyanate, and sulforaphane), withaferin A (WA) derived from a medicinal plant (Withania somnifera) used heavily in Asia, and an oriental medicine plant component honokiol (HNK). An interesting feature of these structurally-diverse phytochemicals is that they target mitochondria to provoke cancer cell-selective death program. Mechanisms underlying cell death induction by commonly studied phytochemicals have been discussed rather extensively and thus are not covered in this review article. Instead, the primary focus of this perspective is to discuss experimental evidence pointing to mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer chemoprevention by promising phytochemicals.

Dietary Antioxidants and Human Cancer

Epidemiological studies show that a high intake of anti-oxidant-rich foods is inversely related to cancer risk. While animal and cell cultures confirm the anticancer effects of antioxidants, intervention trials to determine their ability to reduce cancer risk have been inconclusive, although selenium and vitamin E reduced the risk of some forms of cancer, including prostate and colon cancer, and carotenoids have been shown to help reduce breast cancer risk. Cancer treatment by radiation and anticancer drugs reduces inherent antioxidants and induces oxidative stress, which increases with disease progression. Vitamins E and C have been shown to ameliorate adverse side effects associated with free radical damage to normal cells in cancer therapy, such as mucositis and fibrosis, and to reduce the recurrence of breast cancer. While clinical studies on the effect of anti-oxidants in modulating cancer treatment are limited in number and size, experimental studies show that antioxidant vitamins and some phytochemicals selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells but not in normal cells and prevent angiogenesis and metastatic spread, suggesting a potential role for antioxidants as adjuvants in cancer therapy.

The Role of Glucosinolate Hydrolysis Products from Brassica Vegetable Consumption in Inducing Antioxidant Activity and Reducing Cancer Incidence

The bioactivity of glucosinolates (GSs), and more specifically their hydrolysis products (GSHPs), has been well documented. These secondary metabolites evolved in the order Brassicales as plant defense compounds with proven ability to deter or impede the growth of several biotic challenges including insect infestation, fungal and bacterial infection, and competition from other plants. However, the bioactivity of GSHPs is not limited to activity that inhibits these kingdoms of life. Many of these compounds have been shown to have bioactivity in mammalian systems as well, with epidemiological links to cancer chemoprevention in humans supported by in vitro, in vivo, and small clinical studies. Although other chemopreventive mechanisms have been identified, the primary mechanism believed to be responsible for the observed chemoprevention from GSHPs is the induction of antioxidant enzymes, such as NAD(P)H quinone reductase (NQO1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), and glutathione S transferases (GSTs), through the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway. Induction of this pathway is generally associated with aliphatic isothiocyanate GSHPs, although some indole-derived GSHPs have also been associated with induction of one or more of these enzymes.

Nut consumption and risk of cancer and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

CONTEXT

The identification of foods that can decrease the risk of cancer and type 2 diabetes may be helpful in reducing the burden of these diseases. Although nut consumption has been suggested to have a disease-preventive role, current evidence remains inconsistent.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to clarify the association between nut consumption and risk of cancer or type 2 diabetes.

DATA SOURCES

Six databases were searched for relevant studies from the time of database inception to August 2014. Reference lists of relevant review articles were hand searched, and authors were contacted when data were insufficient.

STUDY SELECTION

Eligible studies included epidemiological studies (case-control and cohort) or clinical trials that reported an association between nut consumption and the outcome of type 2 diabetes or specific cancers.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two investigators independently extracted descriptive, quality, and risk data from included studies.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool relative risks from the included studies. The I(2) statistic was used to assess heterogeneity. A total of 36 eligible observational studies, which included 30,708 patients, were identified. The studies had fair methodological quality, and length of follow-up ranged between 4.6 years and 30 years. Comparison of the highest category of nut consumption with the lowest category revealed significant associations between nut consumption and decreased risk of colorectal cancer (3 studies each with separate estimates for males and females, RR 0.76, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.61-0.96), endometrial cancer (2 studies, RR 0.58, 95%CI 0.43-0.79), and pancreatic cancer (1 study, RR 0.68, 95%CI 0.48-0.96). No significant association was found with other cancers or type 2 diabetes. Overall, nut consumption was significantly associated with a reduced risk of cancer incidence (RR 0.85, 95%CI 0.76-0.95).

CONCLUSIONS

Nut consumption may play a role in reducing cancer risk. Additional studies are needed to more accurately assess the relationship between nut consumption and the prevention of individual types of cancer, given the scarcity of available data.

Polymeric nanocapsules prevent oxidation of core-loaded molecules: evidence based on the effects of docosahexaenoic acid and neuroprostane on breast cancer cells proliferation

Background

Nanocapsules, as a delivery system, are able to target drugs and other biologically sensitive molecules to specific cells or organs. This system has been intensively investigated as a way to protect bioactives drugs from inactivation upon interaction with the body and to ensure the release to the target. However, the mechanism of improved activity of the nanoencapsulated molecules is far from being understood at the cellular and subcellular levels. Epidemiological studies suggest that dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) can reduce the morbidity and mortality from breast cancer. This influence could be modulated by the oxidative status of the diet and it has been suggested that the anti-proliferative properties of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are enhanced by pro-oxidant agents.

Methods

The effect of encapsulation of PUFA on breast cancer cell proliferation in different oxidative medium was evaluated in vitro. We compared the proliferation of the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 and of the non-cancer human mammary epithelial cell line MCF-10A in different experimental conditions.

Results

DHA possessed anti-proliferative properties that were prevented by alpha-tocopherol (an antioxidant) and enhanced by the pro-oxidant hydrogen peroxide that confirms that DHA has to be oxidized to exert its anti-proliferative properties. We also evaluated the anti-proliferative effects of the 4(RS)-4-F_4t-neuroprostane, a bioactive, non-enzymatic oxygenated metabolite of DHA known to play a major role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. DHA-loaded nanocapsules was less potent than non-encapsulated DHA while co-encapsulation of DHA with H₂O₂ maintained the inhibition of proliferation. The nanocapsules slightly improves the anti-proliferative effect in the case of 4(RS)-4-F_4t-neuroprostane that is more hydrophilic than DHA.

Conclusion

Overall, our findings suggest that the sensitivity of tumor cell lines to DHA involves oxidized metabolites. They also indicate that neuroprostane is a metabolite participating in the growth reducing effect of DHA, but it is not the sole. These results also suggest that NC seek to enhance the stability against degradation, enhance cellular availability, and control the release of bioactive fatty acids following their lipophilicities.

Beta-Sitosterol: A Promising but Orphan Nutraceutical to Fight Against Cancer

All the currently available cancer therapeutic options are expensive but none of them are safe. However, traditional plant-derived medicines or compounds are relatively safe. One widely known such compound is beta-sitosterol (BS), a plant derived nutrient with anticancer properties against breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, ovarian cancer, and leukemia. Studies have shown that BS interfere with multiple cell signaling pathways, including cell cycle, apoptosis, proliferation, survival, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis and inflammation. Most of the studies are incomplete partly due to the fact that BS is relatively less potent. But the fact that it is generally considered as nontoxic, the opposite of all currently available cancer chemo-therapeutics, is missed by almost all research communities. To offset the lower efficacy of BS, designing BS delivery for "cancer cell specific" therapy hold huge potential. Delivery of BS through liposome is one of such demonstrations that has shown to be highly promising. But further research did not progress neither in the field of drug delivery of BS nor in the field on how BS mediated anticancer activities could be improved, thus making BS an orphan nutraceutical. Therefore, extensive research with BS as potent anticancer nutraceutical is highly recommended.

Validation of the omega-3 fatty acid intake measured by a web-based food frequency questionnaire against omega-3 fatty acids in red blood cells in men with prostate cancer

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of a web-based self-administered food frequency questionnaire (web-FFQ) to assess the omega-3 (ω-3) fatty acids (FAs) intake of men affected with prostate cancer (PCa) against a biomarker.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

The study presented herein is a sub-study from a phase II clinical trial. Enrolled patients afflicted with PCa were included in the sub-study analysis if the FA profiles from the red blood cell (RBC) membranes and FA intakes at baseline were both determined at the time of the data analysis (n=60). Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated to estimate the correlations between FA intakes and their proportions in the RBC membranes.

RESULTS

Intakes of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were highly correlated with their respective proportions in the RBC membranes (both rs=0.593, P<0.0001). Correlation between alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) intake and its proportion in RBC was not significant (rs=0.130, P=0.332). Correlations were observed between fatty fish intake and total ω-3 FAs (rs=0.304, P=0.02), total long-chain ω-3 FAs (rs=0.290, P=0.03) and DHA (rs=0.328, P=0.01) in RBC membranes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has shown that the web-FFQ is an accurate tool to assess total long-chain ω-3 FAs, EPA and DHA but not ALA intake in clinical trials and epidemiological studies carried out in men with PCa.

Antimutagenic and antioxidant activity of a selected lectin-free common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in two cell-based models

Legumes and particularly beans are a key food of Mediterranean diet representing an important source of proteins, fiber, some minerals and vitamins and bioactive compounds. We evaluated the antioxidant and anti-mutagenic effects of a new fermented powder of a selected lectin-free and phaseolamin-enriched variety of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), named Lady Joy. Lady Joy lysate (Lys LJ) was studied in human erythrocytes and in Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells. The antioxidant and anti-hemolytic properties of Lys LJ, studied in an ex vivo erythrocytes system using the cellular antioxidant assay (CAA-RBC) and the hemolysis test, evidenced a dose-dependent antioxidant activity as well as a significant hemolysis inhibition. Besides, results evidenced that Lys LJ treatment significantly decreased the intracellular ROS concentration and mutagenesis induced by hydrogen peroxide in S. cerevisiae D7 strain. In conclusion, Lys LJ showed both an antimutagenic effect in yeast and a strong scavenging activity in yeast and human cells.

The role of dietary histone deacetylases (HDACs) inhibitors in health and disease

Modification of the histone proteins associated with DNA is an important process in the epigenetic regulation of DNA structure and function. There are several known modifications to histones, including methylation, acetylation, and phosphorylation, and a range of factors influence each of these. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) remove the acetyl group from lysine residues within a range of proteins, including transcription factors and histones. Whilst this means that their influence on cellular processes is more complex and far-reaching than histone modifications alone, their predominant function appears to relate to histones; through deacetylation of lysine residues they can influence expression of genes encoded by DNA linked to the histone molecule. HDAC inhibitors in turn regulate the activity of HDACs, and have been widely used as therapeutics in psychiatry and neurology, in which a number of adverse outcomes are associated with aberrant HDAC function. More recently, dietary HDAC inhibitors have been shown to have a regulatory effect similar to that of pharmacological HDAC inhibitors without the possible side-effects. Here, we discuss a number of dietary HDAC inhibitors, and how they may have therapeutic potential in the context of a whole food.

Flax and flaxseed oil: an ancient medicine & modern functional food

Flaxseed is emerging as an important functional food ingredient because of its rich contents of α-linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3 fatty acid), lignans, and fiber. Flaxseed oil, fibers and flax lignans have potential health benefits such as in reduction of cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, autoimmune and neurological disorders. Flax protein helps in the prevention and treatment of heart disease and in supporting the immune system. As a functional food ingredient, flax or flaxseed oil has been incorporated into baked foods, juices, milk and dairy products, muffins, dry pasta products, macaroni and meat products. The present review focuses on the evidences of the potential health benefits of flaxseed through human and animals' recent studies and commercial use in various food products.

In vitro investigation of cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Cynara L. species in colorectal cancer cells

Apoptotic and cytotoxic activity of plant extracts obtaining from naturally growing Cynara syriaca in Turkey and cultivated C cardunculus against DLD1 colorectal cancer cells was determined. Extracts from wild and cultivated Cynara species were obtained from their vegetative parts and receptacles using hexane and applied with five different dose (0.1-1 mg/ml) as well as apigenin for MTT tests for three time periods (24, 48 and 72 hours). After cells were treated with IC50 doses for each extract total DNA and RNA were isolated for determination of the cause of cell death. From isolated RNAs, cDNA were synthesized and amplification of p21, BCL-2 and BAX gene regions was carried out. Consequently, we found that pro-apoptotic (BAX) gene expression and a cell cycle inhibitor (p21) were induced in the presence of our artichoke extracts. In contrast, anti-apoptotic BCL-2 gene expression was reduced compared to the control group. In addition DNA fragmentation results demonstrated DLD1 cell death via apoptosis.

A systemic review of glutathione S-transferase P1 Ile105Val polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the correlation between glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) Ile105Val polymorphism and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk.

METHODS

Studies were identified to investigate the association between GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism and CRC risk. Systematic computerized searches of the PubMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, WANFANG and SinoMed were performed. Summary odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used to measure GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphisms and CRC risk.

RESULTS

A total of 23 retrospective studies were included in the meta-analysis. During all studies including 6,981 cases and 8,977 controls, sample sizes ranged from 146 to 2,144. Overall, the pooled results revealed that Ile105Val polymorphism was not associated with CRC risk and confused results were found in subgroup analyses. Further meta-analyses were conducted after excluding low-quality studies. GSTP1 Ile105Val is associated with increased risk of CRC limited in studies with matched control. There was no significant heterogeneity in all genetic comparisons, but heterogeneity existed in subgroup analyses of heterozygous and dominant comparisons. The meta-regression analyses indicated that matched controls were the significant factor influencing between-study heterogeneity in all possible influential factors including published year, ethnicity, source of control, sample size, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) in control and matched controls. Sensitivity analysis revealed the pooled ORs were not changed before and after removal of each single study in all genetic comparisons, indicating the robustness of the results.

CONCLUSIONS

GSTP1 Ile105Val might be associated with increased risk of CRC. However, more high-quality case-control studies should be performed to confirm the authenticity of our conclusion.

Self-reported diabetes and mortality in a prospective Chinese elderly cohort study in Hong Kong

OBJECTIVE

In Western countries, diabetes mellitus is positively associated with death from all- and specific-causes including cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. In a Chinese setting with a different disease pattern: high diabetes rates in a relatively non-obese population with low ischemic heart disease (IHD) rates where diabetes is positively associated with IHD, we examined the association of self-reported diabetes with death among older people.

METHODS

Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used in a population-based prospective cohort of 66,820 Chinese (65+ years) enrolled from July 1998 to December 2001 at Elderly Health Centers of the Hong Kong Government Department of Health, followed until May 31, 2012.

RESULTS

During 10.9 years of follow-up, 19,845 deaths occurred. Self-reported diabetes was associated with death from all-causes (hazard ratio (HR)=1.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.51, 1.62), cardiovascular disease (HR=1.84, 95% CI 1.72, 1.96), cancer (HR=1.11, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.20), liver cancer (HR=1.38, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.69) and stomach cancer (HR=1.38, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.85), adjusted for age, sex, socio-economic position, alcohol use, smoking, exercise and body mass index.

CONCLUSION

Such a pattern of associations suggests that further investigation into the drivers of diabetes is required in this and similar populations.

Evaluation of citrus fibers as a tablet excipient

The consumption of fibers is associated with many health benefits, such as a reduction of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases, control of body weight, and prevention of diabetes. Despite the widespread use of fiber supplements such as capsules or tablets, there is an almost complete lack of information concerning the technological properties of functional fibers used in nutraceutical formulations. The aim of this work was to characterize the technological properties of citrus fibers necessary for their use as a processing aid in tableting. The results obtained showed that citrus fibers share many properties of other polysaccharides used as tableting excipients, such as thermal behavior and compaction mechanism, together with an appreciable tabletability. However, the most interesting properties resulted from their disintegration power. Citrus fibers behaved in a similar manner to the well-known super disintegrant croscarmellose sodium and resulted to be little susceptible to their concentration, to lubricant type, and lubricant concentration. Thus, this work supports the idea of a potential use of citrus fibers as "active" substances and processing aid in the tableting of nutraceutical products and also as functional excipient in pharmaceutical tablets formulation.

Pollination and plant resources change the nutritional quality of almonds for human health

Insect-pollinated crops provide important nutrients for human health. Pollination, water and nutrients available to crops can influence yield, but it is not known if the nutritional value of the crop is also influenced. Almonds are an important source of critical nutrients for human health such as unsaturated fat and vitamin E. We manipulated the pollination of almond trees and the resources available to the trees, to investigate the impact on the nutritional composition of the crop. The pollination treatments were: (a) exclusion of pollinators to initiate self-pollination and (b) hand cross-pollination; the plant resource treatments were: (c) reduced water and (d) no fertilizer. In an orchard in northern California, trees were exposed to a single treatment or a combination of two (one pollination and one resource). Both the fat and vitamin E composition of the nuts were highly influenced by pollination. Lower proportions of oleic to linoleic acid, which are less desirable from both a health and commercial perspective, were produced by the self-pollinated trees. However, higher levels of vitamin E were found in the self-pollinated nuts. In some cases, combined changes in pollination and plant resources sharpened the pollination effects, even when plant resources were not influencing the nutrients as an individual treatment. This study highlights the importance of insects as providers of cross-pollination for fruit quality that can affect human health, and, for the first time, shows that other environmental factors can sharpen the effect of pollination. This contributes to an emerging field of research investigating the complexity of interactions of ecosystem services affecting the nutritional value and commercial quality of crops.

Disparities of conjugating protective enzyme activities in the colon of patients with adenomas and carcinomas

AIM: To investigate the metabolic enzymatic capacity of the colon mucosa to detoxify noxious carcinogenic compounds.

METHODS: We investigated the activity of 2 conjugating enzymes-the microsomal uridine glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) and the cytosomal glutathione S-transferase (GST) in the uninvolved mucosa of the colon transversum and sigmoideum in patients with adenomatous polyps and colorectal cancer. Biopsies were taken from the mucosa during colonoscopies which were done for clinical (diagnostic) reasons. After storage, the biopsy material was homogenized and after differential centrifugation the enzyme assays were performed with 4-nitrophenol (UGT) and 1-chloro 2,4-dinitrobenzene (GST) as substrates.

RESULTS: About 48 patients were included of which 28 had adenomas and 20 had colorectal carcinomas confirmed by histopathology. Enzyme activities were expressed as nmol/mg per minute protein for the GST and as pmol/mg per minute protein for the UGT. Analysis of variance (F-test) indicated that both enzymes were more widely distributed in adenoma than in cancer patients. The means ± SD were smaller for cancer patients: GST for adenomas 268 ± 152 vs 241 ± 69 for carcinomas and UGT for adenomas 197 ± 200 vs 150 ± 86 for carcinomas.

CONCLUSION: Compared to patients with adenomatous colon polyps those with colorectal carcinoma exhibited a lower capacity of detoxifying enzyme metabolism and their activities clustered over a smaller range.

Phenethyl isothiocyanate suppresses EGF-stimulated SAS human oral squamous carcinoma cell invasion by targeting EGF receptor signaling

Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) is a natural compound that is involved in chemoprevention as well as inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis in several types of cancer cells. Previous studies have revealed that PEITC suppresses the invasion of AGS gastric and HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. However, the effects of PEITC on the metastasis of SAS oral cancer cells remain to be determined. Our results showed that PEITC treatment inhibited the invasion of EGF-stimulated SAS cells in a concentration-dependent manner, but appeared not to affect the cell viability. The expression and enzymatic activities of matrix metalloprotease-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) were suppressed by PEITC. Concomitantly, we observed an increase in the protein expression of both tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and -2 (TIMP-2) in treated cells. Furthermore, PEITC treatments decreased the protein phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and downstream signaling proteins including PDK1, PI3K (p85), AKT, phosphorylated IKK and IκB to inactivate NF-κB for the suppression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. In addition, PEITC can trigger the MAPK signaling pathway through the increase in phosphorylated p38, JNK and ERK in treated cells. Our data indicate that PEITC is able to inhibit the invasion of EGF-stimulated SAS oral cancer cells by targeting EGFR and its downstream signaling molecules and finally lead to the reduced expression and enzymatic activities of both MMP-2 and MMP-9. These results suggest that PEITC is promising for the therapy of oral cancer metastasis.

Do tobacco and alcohol modify protective effects of diet on oral carcinogenesis?

Recent systematic reviews concluded that the frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables is inversely associated with the risk of oral cancer. We assessed this association, specifically comparing results obtained to nonsmokers and smokers, as well to nondrinkers and drinkers. We conducted a case-control study involving 296 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (cases) attended in 3 major hospitals of São Paulo, Brazil, paired with 296 controls, recruited from outpatient units of the same hospitals. Multivariate models assessed the effect of fruits and salads according to smoking and drinking. The intake of fruit was associated with the prevention of the disease in the specific assessment among light [odds ratio (OR) = 0.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.27-0.78) and heavy (OR = 0.30; 95% CI = 0.14-0.65) smokers. The same was observed for vegetables consumption. For nonsmokers, no fruit (OR = 50; 95% CI = 0.22-1.12) or vegetable (for tomato, OR = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.31-0.93) was associated with reduced risk of oral and oropharyngeal cancer. Similar results were found in the stratified analysis according to drinking status with OR = 0.51 (95% CI = 0.30-0.87) and 0.18 for fruits (95% CI = 0.07-0.45), respectively, for light and heavy drinkers. This observation suggests that the protective effect of fruit and salad intake may modulate the deleterious effects from tobacco and alcohol.

Stress influenced increase in phenolic content and radical scavenging capacity of Rhodotorula glutinis CCY 20-2-26

Rhodotorula glutinis CCY 20-2-26 when grown under controlled stress of either NaCl (1–5 %) or H₂O₂ (1–5 mM) on basal media exhibited a twofold increase in its total phenolic contents. The radical scavenging capacities (RSCs) as determined by ABTS test were found to be highest in 4 mM H₂O₂ (1.44 mM TEAC mg⁻¹) and 4 % NaCl (1.13 mM TEAC mg⁻¹) as compared to control samples (0.41 mM TEAC mg⁻¹). Similarly, the RSCs as determined by DPPH test were also highest in 4 % NaCl (1.83 mM TEAC mg⁻¹) and 4 mM H₂O₂ (1.78 mM TEAC mg⁻¹) compared to control (0.48 TEAC mg⁻¹). The relative RSCs from EPR spin-trapping assay for H₂O₂-stressed cultures were highest in 1 mM H₂O₂ (56.1 μM TEAC g⁻¹) whereas in NaCl-stressed cultures it was highest in 5 % NaCl (44.6 μM TEAC g⁻¹) as compared to control (30.9 μM TEAC g⁻¹). Five phenolic compounds (gallic acid, benzoic acid, catechin, caffeic acid and ferulic acid) were detected for the first time in R. glutinis CCY 20-2-26.