Food systems approach to cancer prevention

The relationship between height and fruit/vegetable intakes in adults: A nationwide cross-sectional study

Background: Worldwide, fruit and vegetable intake is below recommendations. There is increasing evidence to suggest an association between height and diet. Aim: to analyse the associations of fruit and vegetable intake with attained height in Portuguese adults. Methods: A representative sample of 17 480 Portuguese adults (56.7% women) participated in this cross-sectional study. The survey comprised sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported height and weight. We performed regression models to assess the associations between height and fruit and vegetable consumption. Results: Compared with no intakes, those men with higher fruit and vegetables intake had 0.54 cm (95% CI 0.04; 1.04) greater height. Also, women with higher intakes of vegetables, fruit and vegetables combined were directly associated with a greater height of 0.29 cm (95% CI 0.03; 0.56 in vegetables) and 0.51 cm (95% CI 0.09; 0.93 in fruit and vegetables combined). Conclusion: Greater consumption of fruit and vegetables was directly associated with higher height in adults. From a health promotion perspective, intervention programmes aiming at improving fruit and vegetable intake should be highlighted so that full height potential is achieved.

The Role of Agricultural Systems in Teaching Kitchens: An Integrative Review and Thoughts for the Future

Diet-related chronic disease is a public health epidemic in the United States. Concurrently, conventional agricultural and food production methods deplete the nutritional content of many foods, sever connections between people and the origin of their food, and play a significant role in climate change. Paradoxically, despite an abundance of available food in the US, many households are unable to afford or attain a healthful diet. The linkages between agriculture, health, and nutrition are undeniable, yet conventional agriculture and healthcare systems tend to operate in silos, compounding these pressing challenges. Operating teaching kitchens in collaboration with local agriculture, including farms, community gardens, vertical farms, and urban agriculture, has the potential to catalyze a movement that emphasizes the role of the food system in promoting human and planetary health, building resilient communities, and encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration. This paper reviews the current state of agricultural systems, food is medicine, consumer behavior, and the roles within these sectors. This is followed by a series of case studies that fill the gaps between TKs and agriculture. The authors summarize opportunities to combine the knowledge and resources of teaching kitchens and agriculture programs, as well as challenges that may arise along the way.

Possible role of nutrition in the prevention of inflammatory bowel disease-related colorectal cancer: A focus on human studies

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at substantially high risk for colorectal cancer (CRC). IBD-associated CRC accounts for roughly 10% to 15% of the annual mortality in patients with IBD. IBD-related CRC also affects younger patients compared with sporadic CRC, with a 5-y survival rate of 50%. Regardless of medical therapies, the persistent inflammatory state characterizing IBD raises the risk for precancerous changes and CRC, with additional input from several elements, including genetic and environmental risk factors, IBD-associated comorbidities, intestinal barrier dysfunction, and gut microbiota modifications. It is well known that nutritional habits and dietary bioactive compounds can influence IBD-associated inflammation, microbiome abundance and composition, oxidative stress balance, and gut permeability. Additionally, in recent years, results from broad epidemiologic and experimental studies have associated certain foods or nutritional patterns with the risk for colorectal neoplasia. The present study aimed to review the possible role of nutrition in preventing IBD-related CRC, focusing specifically on human studies. It emerges that nutritional interventions based on healthy, nutrient-dense dietary patterns characterized by a high intake of fiber, vegetables, fruit, ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and a low amount of animal proteins, processed foods, and alcohol, combined with probiotic supplementation have the potential of reducing IBD-activity and preventing the risk of IBD-related CRC through different mechanisms, suggesting that targeted nutritional interventions may represent a novel promising approach for the prevention and management of IBD-associated CRC.

Higher diversity of vegetable consumption is associated with less airway inflammation and prevalence of asthma in school-aged children

BACKGROUND

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables has been suggested to counteract the oxidative stress and inflammation that characterize asthma. We aimed to assess the association between vegetable and fruit diversity consumption and asthma and its related outcomes in school-aged children.

METHODS

Participants included 647 children (49% females, aged 7-12 years) recruited from 20 public schools across the city of Porto, in Portugal. Vegetable intake and fruit intake were ascertained using a single self-reported 24-hour recall questionnaire. A diversity score was built taking into account the different number of individual vegetables and fruits consumed and categorized into two groups based on the total reported median consumption, which was rounded to the nearest whole number (≤3 and >3, for vegetables; and ≤1 and >1, for fruits). A questionnaire was used to enquire about self-reported medical diagnosis of asthma and respiratory symptoms. Airway inflammation was assessed measuring exhaled fractional nitric oxide concentration (eNO) and was categorized into two groups (<35 and ≥35 ppb). The association between fruit and vegetable diversity and respiratory outcomes was examined using logistic regression models, adjusting for confounders.

RESULTS

A higher vegetable diversity consumption per day was negatively associated with having self-reported asthma (OR = 0.67; 95% CI 0.47, 0.95), while having a vegetable diversity consumption superior to 3 items per day was negatively associated with levels of eNO ≥ 35 ppb (OR = 0.38; 95% CI 0.16, 0.88) and breathing difficulties (OR = 0.39; 95% CI 0.16, 0.97).

CONCLUSION

Eating a greater variety of vegetables was associated with a lower chance of airway inflammation and prevalence of self-reported asthma in school children.

Epigenetic Reprogramming Mediated by Maternal Diet Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids Protects From Breast Cancer Development in F1 Offspring

Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids (FA) have been associated with lowered risks of developing certain types of cancers. We earlier reported that in transgenic mice prone to develop breast cancer (BCa), a diet supplemented with canola oil, rich in omega-3-rich FA (as opposed to an omega-6-rich diet containing corn oil), reduced the risk of developing BCa, and also significantly reduced the incidence of BCa in F1 offspring. To investigate the underlying mechanisms of the cancer protective effect of canola oil in the F1 generation, we designed and performed the present study with the same diets using BALB/c mice to remove any possible effect of the transgene. First, we observed epigenetic changes at the genome-wide scale in F1 offspring of mothers fed diets containing omega-3 FAs, including a significant increase in acetylation of H3K18 histone mark and a decrease in H3K4me2 mark on nucleosomes around transcription start sites. These epigenetic modifications contribute to differential gene expressions associated with various pathways and molecular mechanisms involved in preventing cancer development, including p53 pathway, G2M checkpoint, DNA repair, inflammatory response, and apoptosis. When offspring mice were exposed to 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA), the group of mice exposed to a canola oil (with omega 3 FAs)-rich maternal diet showed delayed mortality, increased survival, reduced lateral tumor growth, and smaller tumor size. Remarkably, various genes, including BRCA genes, appear to be epigenetically re-programmed to poise genes to be ready for a rapid transcriptional activation due to the canola oil-rich maternal diet. This ability to respond rapidly due to epigenetic potentiation appeared to contribute to and promote protection against breast cancer after carcinogen exposure.

Moringa oleifera leaves alleviated inflammation through downregulation of IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α in a colitis-associated colorectal cancer model

New chemopreventive alternatives are needed due to the rising worldwide incidence of colorectal cancer. The objective was to evaluate the chemopreventive activity of Moringa oleifera leaves (MO) in a colitis-associated colon carcinogenesis model. We hypothesized that MO contain bioactive compounds capable of modulating the expression of genes involved in the inflammatory response and carcinogenesis. Forty-eight male mice (CD-1) were divided into six groups; 1: Healthy control; 2: Positive control induced with azoxymethane (AOM, 10 mg/Kg body weight, intraperitoneal injection) and three cycles of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS, 1.5% in drinking water); groups 3, 4, and 5 were induced with AOM/DSS and supplemented with 5%, 10%, and 20% of MO, respectively; group 6: had no disease induction and supplemented with 20% of MO. Mice were treated for 12 weeks and euthanized. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found for the moringa-administered groups in morphological and histopathological parameters compared to the AOM/DSS control. A decrease in myeloperoxidase activity (~50%) and lipid peroxidation (1.9-3.1 times) were found in groups with 10% and 20% of MO compared to the AOM/DSS control (p < 0.05). The group supplemented with 10% MO showed a significant increase (~3 times) in butyrate and propionate in fecal and cecal content. Groups supplemented with 10%, and 20% MO showed a reduction in proinflammatory cytokines in serum (MCP-1, IL-6, TNF-α) compared to the AOM/DSS control. Treatment with 10% MO induced differential expression of 65 genes in colon tissue such as IL-2, IL-6, TNF, IL-1ß, and INF-γ. MO downregulated proinflammatory mediators showing chemopreventive properties against inflammatory response and colon carcinogenesis.

Phytochemicals in Gynecological Cancer Prevention

Gynecological cancer confers an enormous burden among women worldwide. Accumulating evidence points to the role of phytochemicals in preventing cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancer. Experimental studies emphasize the chemopreventive and therapeutic potential of plant-derived substances by inhibiting the early stages of carcinogenesis or improving the efficacy of traditional chemotherapeutic agents. Moreover, a number of epidemiological studies have investigated associations between a plant-based diet and cancer risk. This literature review summarizes the current knowledge on the phytochemicals with proven antitumor activity, emphasizing their effectiveness and mechanism of action in gynecological cancer.

Anticancer and Immunomodulatory Benefits of Taro (Colocasia esculenta) Corms, an Underexploited Tuber Crop

Taro corms contain valuable bioactive molecules effective against cancer and cancer-related risk factors, such as carcinogens and biological agents, several pathophysiological conditions, including oxidative stress and inflammation, while controlling metabolic dysfunctions and boosting the immunological response. Such broad effects are achieved by the taro health-influencing compounds displaying antitumoral, antimutagenic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-hyperlipidemic activities. Taro bioactivities are attributed to the combination of tarin, taro-4-I polysaccharide, taro polysaccharides 1 and 2 (TPS-1 and TPS-2), A-1/B-2 α-amylase inhibitors, monogalactosyldiacylglycerols (MGDGs), digalactosyldiacylglycerols (DGDGs), polyphenols, and nonphenolic antioxidants. Most of these compounds have been purified and successfully challenged in vitro and in vivo, proving their involvement in the aforementioned activities. Although these health-promoting effects have been recognized since ancient times, as well as other valuable features of taro for food profit, such as hypo-allergenicity, gluten-free, and carbohydrates with medium-glycemic index, taro crop remains underexploited. The popularization of taro intake should be considered a dietary intervention strategy to be applied to improve the overall health status of the organism and as supportive therapy to manage tumorigenesis.

Fermented Vinegars from Apple Peels, Raspberries, Rosehips, Lavender, Mint, and Rose Petals: The Composition, Antioxidant Power, and Genoprotective Abilities in Comparison to Acetic Macerates, Decoctions, and Tinctures

Acetic fermentation is a method for processing plant material which has been known since antiquity. Balsamic and apple cider vinegars are investigated as antibacterial, anti-obesity, and anti-diabetic remedies. However, there is little information about vinegars fermented from aromatic herbs and edible plants. The aim of this study was to compare extracts used for culinary and medicinal purposes according to their composition, antioxidant power, and genoprotective properties. Fermented vinegars, acetic macerates, decoctions, and tinctures in 70% ethanol from raspberries, apple peels, rosehips, lavender, mint, and rose petals were prepared. Polyphenols, ascorbate, carotenoid concentrations, and antioxidant power were analyzed. The polyphenols were identified using HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography). The genoprotective properties were measured using a comet assay on lymphocytes. Fermented vinegars were poorest in phytochemicals in comparison to tinctures, decoctions, or acetic macerates, although they contained the highest concentration of metal ions. The antioxidant abilities were correlated to the phenolic content of extract. None of the extracts induced DNA damages into lymphocytes. The rosehip and rose petal extracts revealed the highest genoprotective abilities, while mint and apple fermented vinegars and decoctions had the lowest. Fermented vinegars are not a rich source of phytochemicals and they show weak genoprotective abilities, but, in increasing demand for antioxidants, any form of phytochemical sources is an added-value in diet.

Review about Non-Lipid Components and Minor Fat-Soluble Bioactive Compounds of Almond Kernel

This work presents a bibliographic review about almond kernel non-lipid components, in particular about the protein fraction, the carbohydrates and the mineral fraction. In addition, other fat-soluble phytochemicals which are present in minor concentrations but show important antioxidant activities are reviewed. Almond kernel is a rich protein food (8.4-35.1%), in which the globulin-albumin fraction dominates, followed by glutelins and prolamins. Within the almond kernel protein profile, amandine dominates. Free amino acids represent a small amount of the total nitrogen quantity, highlighting the presence of glutamic acid and aspartic acid, followed by arginine. Carbohydrates that appear in almond kernels (14-28%) are soluble sugars (mainly sucrose), starch and other polysaccharides such as cellulose and non-digestible hemicelluloses. Regarding the mineral elements, potassium is the most common, followed by phosphorus; both macronutrients represent more than 70% of the total mineral fraction, without taking into account nitrogen. Microminerals include sodium, iron, copper, manganese and zinc. Within the phytochemical compounds, tocopherols, squalene, phytosterols, stanols, sphingolipids, phospholipids, chlorophylls, carotenoids, phenols and volatile compounds can be found.

Mild heat combined with lactic acid fermentation: a novel approach for enhancing sulforaphane yield in broccoli puree

This study evaluated for the first time the feasibility of mild preheating treatment of broccoli florets combined with lactic acid bacteria fermentation for enhancing sulforaphane yield in broccoli puree. The optimum preheating condition for in-pack processing of broccoli florets was 3 min treatment at 65 °C increasing sulforaphane yield in broccoli puree by ∼5 times compared to untreated broccoli. Preheating of broccoli florets in-pack (65 °C per 3 min) combined with lactic acid bacteria fermentation further enhanced the sulforaphane content by ∼16 times compared to untreated broccoli. The sulforaphane content of the preheated-fermented puree remained stable (∼94% retention) for two weeks at 4 °C. The results indicate that a combination of judicious heat treatment of broccoli florets with lactic acid bacteria fermentation enables production of safe and high sulforaphane content broccoli products with potential health benefits.

Using Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict glucobrassicin concentrations in cabbage and brussels sprout leaf tissue

BACKGROUND

Glucobrassicin (GBS) and its hydrolysis product indole-3-carbinol are important nutritional constituents implicated in cancer chemoprevention. Dietary consumption of vegetables sources of GBS, such as cabbage and Brussels sprouts, is linked to tumor suppression, carcinogen excretion, and cancer-risk reduction. High-performance liquid-chromatography (HPLC) is the current standard GBS identification method, and quantification is based on UV-light absorption in comparison to known standards or via mass spectrometry. These analytical techniques require expensive equipment, trained laboratory personnel, hazardous chemicals, and they are labor intensive. A rapid, nondestructive, inexpensive quantification method is needed to accelerate the adoption of GBS-enhancing production systems. Such an analytical method would allow producers to quantify the quality of their products and give plant breeders a high-throughput phenotyping tool to increase the scale of their breeding programs for high GBS-accumulating varieties. Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) paired with partial least squares regression (PLSR) could be a useful tool to develop such a method.

RESULTS

Here we demonstrate that GBS concentrations of freeze-dried tissue from a wide variety of cabbage and Brussels sprouts can be predicted using partial least squares regression from NIRS data generated from wavelengths between 950 and 1650 nm. Cross-validation models had R² = 0.75 with RPD = 2.3 for predicting µmol GBS·100 g^-1 fresh weight and R² = 0.80 with RPD = 2.4 for predicting µmol GBS·g^-1 dry weight. Inspections of equation loadings suggest the molecular associations used in modeling may be due to first overtones from O-H stretching and/or N-H stretching of amines.

CONCLUSIONS

A calibration model suitable for screening GBS concentration of freeze-dried leaf tissue using NIRS-generated data paired with PLSR can be created for cabbage and Brussels sprouts. Optimal NIRS wavelength ranges for calibration remain an open question.

Targeting hallmarks of cancer with a food-system-based approach

Although extensive resources are dedicated to the development and study of cancer drugs, the cancer burden is expected to rise by about 70% over the next 2 decade. This highlights a critical need to develop effective, evidence-based strategies for countering the global rise in cancer incidence. Except in high-risk populations, cancer drugs are not generally suitable for use in cancer prevention owing to potential side effects and substantial monetary costs (Sporn, 2011). There is overwhelming epidemiological and experimental evidence that the dietary bioactive compounds found in whole plant-based foods have significant anticancer and chemopreventative properties. These bioactive compounds often exert pleiotropic effects and act synergistically to simultaneously target multiple pathways of cancer. Common bioactive compounds in fruits and vegetables include carotenoids, glucosinolates, and polyphenols. These compounds have been shown to target multiple hallmarks of cancer in vitro and in vivo and potentially to address the diversity and heterogeneity of certain cancers. Although many studies have been conducted over the past 30 y, the scientific community has still not reached a consensus on exactly how the benefit of bioactive compounds in fruits and vegetables can be best harnessed to help reduce the risk for cancer. Different stages of the food processing system, from "farm-to-fork," can affect the retention of bioactive compounds and thus the chemopreventative properties of whole foods, and there are opportunities to improve handling of foods throughout the stages in order to best retain their chemopreventative properties. Potential target stages include, but are not limited to, pre- and postharvest management, storage, processing, and consumer practices. Therefore, there is a need for a comprehensive food-system-based approach that not only taking into account the effects of the food system on anticancer activity of whole foods, but also exploring solutions for consumers, policymakers, processors, and producers. Improved knowledge about this area of the food system can help us adjust farm-to-fork operations in order to consistently and predictably deliver desired bioactive compounds, thus better utilizing them as invaluable chemopreventative tools in the fight to reduce the growing burden of cancer worldwide.

Fruit and vegetable consumption and health outcomes: an umbrella review of observational studies

The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive evaluation of current evidence on fruit and vegetable consumption and health outcomes. A systematic search for quantitative syntheses was performed. Several criteria, including study design, dose-response relationship, heterogeneity and agreement of results over time, and identification of potential confounding factors, were used to assess the level of evidence. The strongest (probable) evidence was found for cardiovascular disease protection; possible evidence for decreased risk of colon cancer, depression and pancreatic diseases was found for fruit intake; and colon and rectal cancer, hip fracture, stroke, depression and pancreatic diseases was found for vegetable intake. Suggestive and rather limited associations with other outcomes have been found. Evidence of potential confounding by sex and geographical localisation has been reported. Despite findings are consistent enough for hypothesising causation (at least for cardiovascular-related outcomes), further studies are needed to clarify the role of potential confounding factors.

Chemopreventive Effects of Whole Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) on Colitis-Associated Colon Tumorigenesis

SCOPE

There are growing interests in using a whole-food-based approach to prevent chronic diseases due to potential synergistic interactions among different bioactive components within the whole foods. North American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), a polyphenol-rich fruit, has been shown to exert multiple beneficial health effects.

METHODS AND RESULTS

For the first time, the protective effects of whole cranberry powder (WCP) are determined against colitis-associated mouse colon tumorigenesis induced by azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The results show that dietary administration of WCP (1.5%, w/w in the diet) significantly suppresses colon tumorigenesis as indicated by the reduced tumor incidence, multiplicity, burden, and average tumor size in WCP-fed mice compared to the positive control mice. Both gene and protein expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α are markedly attenuated by WCP treatment in the colon of AOM/DSS-treated mice. Moreover, WCP profoundly modulates multiple signaling pathways/proteins related to inflammation, cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis in the colon, which is closely associated with the inhibitory effects of WCP on colon tumorigenesis.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the results demonstrate chemopreventive effects of WCP on colon tumorigenesis in mice, providing a scientific basis for using the whole cranberry as a functional food to promote colon health in humans.

Immune Curbing of Cancer Stem Cells by CTLs Directed to NANOG

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified as the source of tumor growth and disease recurrence. Eradication of CSCs is thus essential to achieve durable responses, but CSCs are resistant to current anti-tumor therapies. Novel therapeutic approaches that specifically target CSCs will, therefore, be crucial to improve patient outcome. Immunotherapies, which boost the body's own immune system to eliminate cancerous cells, could be an alternative approach to target CSCs. Vaccines of dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with tumor antigens can evoke highly specific anti-tumor T cell responses. Importantly, DC vaccination also promotes immunological memory formation, paving the way for long-term cancer control. Here, we propose a DC vaccination that specifically targets CSCs. DCs loaded with NANOG peptides, a protein required for maintaining stem cell properties, could evoke a potent anti-tumor immune response against CSCs. We hypothesize that the resulting immunological memory will also control newly formed CSCs, thereby preventing disease recurrence.

A "Fork-to-Farm" Multi-Scale Approach to Promote Sustainable Food Systems for Nutrition and Health: A Perspective for the Mediterranean Region

Mediterranean countries are undergoing dietary and nutritional changes that affect their inhabitants' health, while facing massive environmental challenges. The increasing demand of water in agriculture, the capacity to maintain local food production, and the growing dependence on food imports are interconnected issues that must be addressed to ensure food security and nutrition in the Mediterranean region. Here, we present the conceptual framework and methodologies developed by the MEDINA-Study Group for rethinking food systems toward sustainable consumption and production modes. Based on its multidisciplinary expertise, the MEDINA-Study Group designed a "fork-to-farm" multi-scale approach, stemming from current dietary habits and examining how some options to nutritionally improve these habits might affect the food systems. This approach was developed for research activities in the South of France and Tunisia, two areas with very different diet-agriculture-environment nexus. The conceptual framework is based on the analysis of elements of the food systems (from consumption to production) at different levels (individual, household, regional and national levels). The methods include: (i) modeling options of dietary changes at different scales, in order to nutritionally optimize food consumption-production without increasing the environmental impact, (ii) translating the best-choice changes into possible policy actions, (iii) testing the acceptability and feasibility of these actions with several stakeholders, and (iv) producing guidelines for sustainable food choices and production. The MEDINA-Study Group identified additional issues that could be included in a future framework to help designing ambitious agricultural, food and health policies in the Mediterranean region.

Effects of a Grapevine Shoot Extract Containing Resveratrol and Resveratrol Oligomers on Intestinal Adenoma Development in Mice: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

SCOPE

Evidence suggests that the dietary consumption of plant extracts containing polyphenols might help prevent the onset of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. In the present study, the chemopreventive and antiproliferative efficacy of a grapevine shoot extract (Vineatrol®30) containing resveratrol and resveratrol oligomers is investigated in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The in vivo study is performed using Apc^Min mice on a high-fat diet, which represents a model of human adenomatous polyposis, while the potential of the extract as well as some of its isolated constituents to inhibit intestinal adenoma cell proliferation in vitro is investigated using APC10.1 cells derived from an Apc^Min mouse. Vineatrol®30 at a low (2.3 mg kg^-1  diet) or high dose (476 mg kg^-1  diet) reduces the adenoma number in male and adenoma volume in female animals. Furthermore, Vineatrol®30 as well as resveratrol and two resveratrol tetramers compromise the expansion of APC10.1 cells by reducing cell number, inducing cell cycle arrest, cellular senescence, and apoptosis. However, except for the extract, none of the isolated resveratrol oligomers is more efficacious than resveratrol in these cells.

CONCLUSION

Vineatrol®30 may merit further investigation as a potential dietary gastrointestinal cancer chemopreventive agent in humans.

Transforming Cancer Epigenetics Using Nutritive Approaches and Noncoding RNAs

Cancer is considered one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Although preventive strategies, early detection, and improved treatment options have been developed, novel targets and therapeutics are still needed. Since concluding that cancer is mediated by genetic and epigenetic alterations of the cell, many research groups are now focusing on other means of prevention and therapy via nutrition, epigenetic mechanisms, and non-coding RNAs which have been shown to control gene expression and have many different functions at the cellular level. With the advent of high-throughput sequencing in human cancer, the potential to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets of disease has increased tremendously and led to the identification of many non-coding RNAs that are dysregulated in various cancers. Gene expression and regulation is important in maintaining the homeostasis of normal tissues and cells. Not uncommonly, up- or down-regulation of particular genes are associated with cancer as a result of increased or decreased expression of transcriptional targets. This review focuses on the role of nutrition in cancer and the dysregulation of non-coding RNAs with particular emphasis on long non-coding RNAs and microRNAs in different cancer types.

A potential adjuvant chemotherapeutics, 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid, inhibits renal tubular epithelial cells apoptosis via enhancing BMP-7 epigenetically through targeting HDAC2

Cisplatin, a highly effective and widely used chemotherapeutic agent, has a major limitation for its nephrotoxicity. We recently identified a novel strategy for attenuating its nephrotoxicity in chemotherapy by an effective adjuvant via epigenetic modification through targeting HDAC2. Molecular docking and SPR assay firstly reported that 18βGA, major metabolite of GA, could directly bind to HDAC2 and inhibit the activity of HDAC2. The effects and mechanisms of GA and 18βGA were assessed in CP-induced AKI in C57BL/6 mice, and in CP-treated HK-2 and mTEC cells lines. TUNEL and FCM results confirmed that GA and 18βGA could inhibit apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells induced by CP in vivo and in vitro. Western blot and immunofluorescence results demonstrated that the expression of BMP-7 was clearly induced by 18βGA in AKI models while siRNA BMP-7 could reduce the inhibitory effect of 18βGA on apoptosis. Results of current study indicated that 18βGA inhibited apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells via enhancing the level of BMP-7 epigenetically through targeting HDAC2, therefore protecting against CP-induced AKI. These available evidence, which led to an improved understanding of molecular recognition, suggested that 18βGA could serve as a potential clinical adjuvant in chemotherapy.

Can Your Microbiome Tell You What to Eat?

Prospects for using the gut microbiome for personalized medicine are substantial since the gut microbiome is known to modulate metabolism and varies substantially among individuals. Zeevi et al. (2015) demonstrate that the gut microbiota can be used to predict individualized blood glucose responses to particular foods, which differ between individuals.