Delay of diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatoma in rats by carrot feeding

Dietary antioxidants in the prevention of hepatocarcinogenesis: a review

In this review, the role of dietary antioxidants in the prevention of hepatocarcinogenesis is examined. Both human and animal models are discussed. Vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium are antioxidants that are essential in the human diet. A number of non-essential chemicals also contain antioxidant activity and are consumed in the human diet, mainly as plants or as supplements, including beta-carotene, ellagic acid, curcumin, lycopene, coenzyme Q(10), epigallocatechin gallate, N-acetyl cysteine, and resveratrol. Although some human and animal studies show protection against carcinogenesis with the consumption of higher amounts of antioxidants, many studies show no effect or an enhancement of carcinogenesis. Because of the conflicting results from these studies, it is difficult to make dietary recommendations as to whether consuming higher amounts of specific antioxidants will decrease the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma.

Inhibitory effects of feeding with carrots or (-)-falcarinol on development of azoxymethane-induced preneoplastic lesions in the rat colon

The effects of intake of dietary amounts of carrot or corresponding amounts of (-)-(3R)-falcarinol from carrots on development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon preneoplastic lesions were examined in male BDIX rats. Three groups of eight AOM-treated rats were fed the standard rat feed Altromin supplemented with either 10% (w/w) freeze-dried carrots with a natural content of 35 mug falcarinol/g, 10% maize starch to which was added 35 mug falcarinol/g purified from carrots, or 10% maize starch (control). After 18 weeks, the animals were euthanized and the colon was examined for tumors and aberrant crypt foci (ACF), which were classified into four size classes. Although the number of small ACF was unaffected by the feeding treatments, the numbers of lesions as a function of increasing size class decreased significantly in the rats that received one of the two experimental treatments, as compared with the control treatment. This indicates that the dietary treatments with carrot and falcarinol delayed or retarded the development of large ACF and tumors. The present study provides a new perspective on the known epidemiological associations between high intake of carrots and reduced incidence of cancers.

Dietary lycopene decreases the initiation of liver preneoplastic foci by diethylnitrosamine in the rat

To test whether carotenoids can modulate the initiation of liver preneoplasia by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) or by 2-nitropropane (2-NP) in a sequential protocol of hepatocarcinogenesis, male weanling rats were fed for three or four weeks (respectively) diets containing beta-carotene, canthaxanthin, astaxanthin, or lycopene (300 mg/kg diet) or an excess of vitamin A (15,000 retinol equivalents/kg diet) or were treated intraperitoneally with 3-methylcholanthrene. During this period, all rats were injected intraperitoneally with the initiator carcinogen, either 2-NP (6 times at 100 mg/kg body wt) or DEN (once at 100 mg/kg body wt). Three weeks after the termination of carotenoid or vitamin A feeding, the rats received 50 ppm of 2-acetylaminofluorene in their diet for a two-week period, in the middle of which they were subjected to two-thirds partial hepatectomy, and were sacrificed one week later. gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase- and placental glutathione S-transferase-positive foci were detected in frozen-cut liver sections by histochemical and histoimmunochemical techniques, respectively. None of the treatments tested had any influence on the number and size of preneoplastic liver foci induced by 2-NP, despite a significant incorporation and persistence in the liver of the carotenoids, except astaxanthin, and of supplemental vitamin A. Feeding the rats lycopene significantly decreased the size of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase- and glutathione S-transferase-positive foci induced by DEN (by 64% and 65%, respectively), as well as the fraction of liver volume occupied by foci (by 84% and 79%, respectively), but did not significantly reduce their number. The other carotenoids, including beta-carotene, exerted no significant effects on DEN-induced preneoplasias. Lycopene does not appear to act through its antioxidant properties, but rather through its modulating effect on the liver enzyme activating DEN, cytochrome P-450 2E1.

Effects of carotenoid-rich food extracts on the development of preneoplastic lesions in rat liver and on in vivo and in vitro antioxidant status

The effect of dietary carotenoid-rich extracts of carrots, tomatoes, and orange juice on rat liver gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-positive preneoplastic foci induced by aflatoxin B1 was investigated. Organic extracts were prepared from the foods, dissolved in tricaprylin oil to equivalent concentrations of the major food-specific carotenoids, and fed by intubation to Fischer 344 male rats. The extracts were administered during the 2-week aflatoxin-dosing (initiation) period of the study or during the subsequent 12-week post-dosing (promotion) period. Vitamin status and antioxidant activities were measured in blood and liver. Extract feeding caused an accumulation of carotenoids in the liver, a substantial decrease in spontaneous erythrocyte hemolysis, and lowered plasma glutathione, blood superoxide dismutase, and blood catalase. Differences in foci development among the three extracts were not as consistent or profound as differences between initiation and promotion dosing. The number of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-positive foci was decreased by extract feeding during the initiation period, whereas extract feeding during the promotion period caused a decrease in the average diameter of the foci. The total volume of foci was markedly reduced by extract feeding during either period. Extracts were compared with purified carotenoids and alpha-tocopherol in their ability to affect in vitro antioxidation activity and were nearly as effective as the pure compounds. In summary, carotenoid-rich extracts of these three foods substantially inhibited biochemical and cellular events thought to play a role in the early stages of hepatocarcinogenesis.

Vegetables, fruit, and cancer prevention: a review

In this review of the scientific literature on the relationship between vegetable and fruit consumption and risk of cancer, results from 206 human epidemiologic studies and 22 animal studies are summarized. The evidence for a protective effect of greater vegetable and fruit consumption is consistent for cancers of the stomach, esophagus, lung, oral cavity and pharynx, endometrium, pancreas, and colon. The types of vegetables or fruit that most often appear to be protective against cancer are raw vegetables, followed by allium vegetables, carrots, green vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, and tomatoes. Substances present in vegetables and fruit that may help protect against cancer, and their mechanisms, are also briefly reviewed; these include dithiolthiones, isothiocyanates, indole-3-carbinol, allium compounds, isoflavones, protease inhibitors, saponins, phytosterols, inositol hexaphosphate, vitamin C, D-limonene, lutein, folic acid, beta carotene, lycopene, selenium, vitamin E, flavonoids, and dietary fiber. Current US vegetable and fruit intake, which averages about 3.4 servings per day, is discussed, as are possible noncancer-related effects of increased vegetable and fruit consumption, including benefits against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, obesity, diverticulosis, and cataracts. Suggestions for dietitians to use in counseling persons toward increasing vegetable and fruit intake are presented.

No evidence for an inhibitory effect of beta-carotene or of canthaxanthin on the initiation of liver preneoplastic foci by diethylnitrosamine in the rat

To test whether beta-carotene or canthaxanthin can modulate the initiation of liver preneoplasia by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in a sequential protocol of hepatocarcinogenesis, for three weeks male weanling rats were fed diets containing beta-carotene or canthaxanthin (300 mg/kg diet) or excess vitamin A (70,000 IU/kg diet) or were given beta-carotene by injection (9 injections at 10 mg/kg body wt ip). On Day 15, all rats were injected with 200 mg DEN/kg body wt ip; later they were submitted to 2-acetylaminofluorene treatment and to two-thirds hepatectomy, then to phenobarbital treatment, after which gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase- and placental glutathione-S-transferase-positive liver foci were histologically detected. Neither beta-carotene (fed or injected), canthaxanthin, nor an excess of dietary vitamin A had an influence on the number and size of preneoplastic liver foci, despite a significant incorporation and persistence in liver of both carotenoids, especially canthaxanthin, and of supplemental vitamin A. These results are in conflict with another report in which beta-carotene, given to rats during the initiation phase, was found to strongly inhibit DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.

Inhibition of 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rat by dietary beta-carotene: changes in hepatic anti-oxidant defense enzyme levels

The dietary administration of beta-carotene (BC) daily has been found to be highly effective in reducing hepatocarcinogenesis in male Sprague-Dawley rats fed 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (3'-Met-DAB). The anti-cancer efficacy of BC was evaluated by estimating some possible pre-neoplastic and neoplastic hepatic anti-oxidant markers such as glutathione (GSH) and related enzymes, namely glutathione S-transferases (GSHT, with varying substrate specificities), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and reductase. BC proved to be an effective anti-neoplastic substance in long-term treatment. Furthermore, BC limited the exponential increase of GSH, GGT, GSH-T and GPX both in the hyperplastic nodules (HNs) and surrounding liver (NNSP) areas compared with carcinogen control (3'-Met-DAB) rats during long-term treatment. Early marginal changes in GSH, GGT and GSHT (with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as a substrate) activities in BC-treated groups for 10 days compared with carcinogen (3'-Met-DAB once) control rats entail the participation of BC in the initial stages of hepatocarcinogenesis. A decrease in the number of hyperplastic nodules and the total liver parenchyma they occupy was observed in BC-treated groups. HNs and NNSP liver areas are directly correlated with hepatic BC and vitamin A content and with rates and patterns of hepatic anti-oxidant defense enzymes. Our results confirm that BC is protective in limiting the action of 3'-Met-DAB during the initiation phase of hepatocarcinogenesis.

Role of beta-carotene on the changes in activity patterns and levels of biotransforming enzymes in transplantable murine lymphoma

The differential levels of induction of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 (cyt. P-450), UDP-glucuronyl transferase (UDPGT) and cytosolic glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities were evaluated over various periods of time, following tumor transplantation in male Swiss albino mice in the presence and absence of beta-carotene supplementation in their basal diet (100 mg/kg). An increase in the total hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 and UDP-glucuronyl transferase and cytosolic GSH-transferase activities (1.5 to 2 fold) occurred during the later stage of tumor progression (22 +/- 2 days onwards). However, beta-carotene supplementation throughout the study increased or decreased the random activity trends of the above markers significantly (P < 0.05- < 0.01). Finally, beta-carotene supplementation could enhance the survival of the host bearing lymphoma by almost 2-fold (50-60 days) over and above the lymphoma controls (30-35 days).

Protection by beta-carotene and related compounds against oxygen-mediated cytotoxicity and genotoxicity: implications for carcinogenesis and anticarcinogenesis

beta-Carotene protects against photooxidative dermatitis in porphyric humans and mice by quenching of photoactivated species. Other actions of beta-carotene in vivo are explained on the basis of its ability to scavenge free radicals in vitro. For example, in guinea pigs treated with CCl4, beta-carotene decreases pentane and ethane production. Epidemiological studies link low serum beta-carotene levels to elevated risk of lung and other cancers, and in intervention trials, beta-carotene diminishes preneoplastic lesions. However, the dose/response relationships are not well established, and antineoplastic mechanisms await clarification. Given a radical quenching mechanism, beta-carotene should block tumor promotion, but more typically the site of action is progression and an even later role in invasion has not been ruled out. Some antineoplastic actions of carotenoids (such as increased rejection of fibrosarcomas in mice) are attributed to immunoenhancement; others may reflect conversion to retinoids and subsequent gene regulation. Carotenoids other than beta-carotene may act at an earlier stage of carcinogenesis or be more effective as anticarcinogens at certain target sites. As scavengers of hydroxyl radicals, canthaxanthin and astaxanthin are more effective than beta-carotene. Canthaxanthin is sometimes more effective than beta-carotene in chemoprevention, but it is sometimes completely ineffective. Lycopene quenches singlet oxygen more than twice as effectively as beta-carotene. However, the antineoplastic actions of lycopene or astaxanthin remain untested. Explorations of the interactions of carotenoids with other nutrients are just beginning. Dietary fat increases absorption of carotene but decreases antineoplastic effectiveness. Research is hampered by technical problems, including the unavailability of rigorous controls, the instability of carotenoids, and the heterogeneous phase structure induced by hydrophobic compounds in aqueous media. Areas of current controversy and promising approaches for future research are identified.

Vegetables, fruit, and cancer. II. Mechanisms

The epidemiologic literature on the relationship between vegetable and fruit consumption and human cancer at a variety of sites was reviewed systematically in Part I. It was concluded that consumption of higher levels of vegetables and fruit is associated consistently, although not universally, with a reduced risk of cancer at most sites, and particularly with epithelial cancers of the alimentary and respiratory tracts. Possible mechanisms by which vegetable and fruit intake might alter risk of cancer are addressed here. A large number of potentially anticarcinogenic agents are found in these food sources, including carotenoids, vitamins C and E, selenium, dietary fiber, dithiolthiones, glucosinolates and indoles, isothiocyanates, flavonoids, phenols, protease inhibitors, plant sterols, allium compounds, and limonene. These agents have both complementary and overlapping mechanisms of action, including the induction of detoxification enzymes, inhibition of nitrosamine formation, provision of substrate for formation of antineoplastic agents, dilution and binding of carcinogens in the digestive tract, alteration of hormone metabolism, antioxidant effects, and others. It appears extremely unlikely that any one substance is responsible for all the associations seen. Possible adverse effects of vegetable and fruit consumption are also examined. One way to consider the relationships reviewed here is to hypothesize that humans are adapted to a high intake of plant foods that supply substances crucial to the maintenance of the organism, but only some of which are currently called 'essential nutrients.' Cancer may be the result of reducing the level of intake of foods that are metabolically necessary--it may be a disease of maladaptation.

Vegetables, fruit, and cancer. I. Epidemiology

The epidemiologic literature on the relationship between vegetable and fruit consumption and human cancer at a variety of sites is reviewed systematically. A total of 13 ecologic studies, nine cohort studies, and 115 case-control studies are included. Cancer of all sites, cancers of lung, breast, colon, rectum, esophagus, larynx, oral cavity and pharynx, stomach, pancreas, prostate, bladder, ovary, endometrium, cervix, and thyroid, as well as mesothelioma and gestational trophoblastic disease, are considered. Relevant data from clinical trials, animal, and in vitro studies are included. It is concluded that consumption of higher levels of vegetables and fruit is associated consistently, although not universally, with a reduced risk of cancer at most sites. The association is most marked for epithelial cancers--particularly those of the alimentary and respiratory tracts--and, currently, is weak to nonexistent for hormone-related cancers. The association exists for a wide variety of vegetables and fruit with some suggestion that raw forms are associated most consistently with lower risk. Possible mechanisms by which vegetable and fruit intake might alter risk of cancer and possible adverse effects of vegetable and fruit consumption will be considered in Part II of this review.

Effects of commonly consumed vegetables on hepatic xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in the mouse

To investigate the effects of consuming a variety of common vegetables on the activities of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in the mouse liver, male C57BL/6 mice were fed purified diets supplemented isocalorically with 20% freeze-dried powdered kidney bean, soya bean, alfalfa, cauliflower, mustard greens, carrot, kale, Brussels sprouts, beet, egg plant or onion or with 40% sweet potato. Hepatic ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECD) activity was increased significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) over the controls in the mice fed diets containing kidney bean (1.5-fold), alfalfa (1.6-fold), cauliflower (2.2-fold), mustard greens (1.2-fold), carrots (1.2-fold) and kale (1.3-fold). No significant increases in ECD activity were seen in the other groups. Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity was assayed in the cauliflower and Brussels sprouts groups and was found to be unaffected by these diets. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) and epoxide hydratase (EH) activities were increased (P less than or equal to 0.05) by soya bean (1.2- and 1.6-fold respectively), Brussels sprouts (2.0- and 1.6-fold), cauliflower (1.2- and 1.6-fold), alfalfa (1.3- and 2.0-fold) and onion (1.8- and 2.3-fold). No significant increases in GST or EH activities were seen in the other groups. Of the twelve vegetables investigated, only three (sweet potato, beet and egg plant) had no statistically significant effects on any of the xenobiotic-metabolizing parameters tested. However, the beet diet caused an apparent inhibition of ECD activity (74% of control) and the sweet potato diet caused an apparent increase (1.3-fold) in GST activity, although statistical significance could not be established at P less than or equal to 0.05.