A major inducer of anticarcinogenic protective enzymes from broccoli: isolation and elucidation of structure

Effects of neem flowers, Thai and Chinese bitter gourd fruits and sweet basil leaves on hepatic monooxygenases and glutathione S-transferase activities, and in vitro metabolic activation of chemical carcinogens in rats

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of feeding of four vegetables commonly consumed in Thailand, namely, flowers of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica var. siamensis), fruits of Thai and the Chinese bitter gourd (Momordica charantia Linn.) and leaves of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum Linn) on the levels of phase I enzymes, which include cytochrome P450 (P450), aniline hydroxylase (ANH) and aminopyrine-N-demethylase (AMD) as well as the capacity to activate the mutagenicities of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), and to induce the phase II enzymes [i.e. glutathione S-transferase (GST)] in rat liver. It was found that feeding of the diets containing 12.5% neem flowers and Thai bitter gourd fruits for 2 weeks strongly enhanced GST activity, 2.7- and 1.6- fold of the pair-fed control values, respectively, while resulting in a marked reduction of the levels of most phase I reactions. Fruits of the Chinese bitter gourd, which is in the same species as Thai bitter gourd, had no effect on GST activity but decreased AMD activity and the in vitro metabolic activation of AFB1 and BaP. On the other hand, however, dietary sweet basil leaves caused a significant increase in the levels of both GST and all phase I enzymes. Results in the present study clearly demonstrate that neem flowers and Thai bitter gourd fruits contain monofunctional phase II enzyme inducers and compounds capable of repressing some monooxygenases, especially those involved in the metabolic activation of chemical carcinogens, while sweet basil leaves contain compounds, probably bifunctional inducers, capable of inducing both phase I and phase II enzymes and Chinese bitter gourd fruits contain only compounds capable of repressing some monooxygenases. These results therefore suggest that neem flowers and Thai bitter gourd fruits may possess chemopreventive potential, while those of Chinese bitter gourd fruits and sweet basil leaves are uncertain.

Glutathione S-transferases--biomarkers of cancer risk and chemopreventive response

The critical role of the glutathione S-transferase (GST) multigene family in cellular protection in combination with the large interindividual variability in the expression of these enzymes has prompted an investigation of their importance in cancer prevention and susceptibility. Previous preclinical and clinical studies from this laboratory have established an association between decreased GST activity and increased risk for colorectal cancer. Based upon the increased incidence of colon malignancies among patients with ulcerative colitis, GST activity has been examined in a mouse model of induced colitis. Significant decreases (50% of controls) in the GST activity of colon tissue were observed during the establishment and progression of colitis. These data suggested that depletion of cellular protection may be an important event in the carcinogenic progression of ulcerative colitis. The ability of the dithiolthione oltipraz to induce GST expression within the murine colon has been demonstrated. Use of chemopreventive regimens to induce phase 2 detoxication enzyme expression represents a promising strategy for the prevention of cancer. Clinical studies revealed that the GST activity of blood lymphocytes from individuals with either a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or a personal history of colon polyps was decreased significantly when compared to that of healthy controls. Phase 1 clinical evaluation of oltipraz has demonstrated its ability to induce GST activity as well as the level of transcripts encoding gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS) and DT-diaphorase in the colon mucosa of individuals at increased risk for colorectal cancer. The observed correlation between the posttreatment response in blood lymphocytes and colon mucosa suggested that blood lymphocytes may be used in future trials as a surrogate biomarker of the responsiveness of colon tissue to chemopreventive regimens.

Broccoli sprouts in cancer prevention

Recent research has aimed to identify specific phytochemicals in Brassica vegetables, such as sulforaphane in broccoli, that may confer protection against cancer. Clinical, dietary, and policy implications are discussed.

Effects of the sulforaphane analog compound 30, indole-3-carbinol, D-limonene or relafen on glutathione S-transferases and glutathione peroxidase of the rat digestive tract

Several dietary compounds have been demonstrated to reduce gastrointestinal cancer rates in both humans and animals. We showed that high human gastrointestinal tissue levels of glutathione S-transferase (GST), a family of detoxification enzymes consisting of class Alpha, Mu, Pi and Theta isoforms, were inversely correlated with cancer risk. We now investigated whether the sulforaphane analog compound 30, indole-3-carbinol, D-limonene or relafen, supplemented in the diet for two weeks at 1450, 250, 10,000, and 200 ppm, respectively, influenced (i) GST activity, (ii) GST isoenzyme levels, (iii) GSH levels, or (iv) glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in the gastrointestinal tract of male Wistar rats. Sulforaphane analog compound 30 enhanced GST activity in all organs studied (1.2-2.4 x). It induced GST Alpha levels in small intestine and liver, GST Mu levels in stomach and small intestine, GST Pi levels in stomach and small and large intestine, and GSH levels in stomach and proximal and middle small intestine. Indole-3-carbinol induced gastric GST Mu and hepatic GST Alpha levels. D-limonene induced hepatic GST Alpha, colonic GST Pi levels and proximal small intestinal GST enzyme activity and GST Pi levels. Relafen induced hepatic GST Alpha levels, distal small intestinal and gastric GST Pi levels, and oesophageal and proximal small intestinal GSH levels. GPx activity was enhanced by relafen in oesophagus, and in distal small intestine by sulforaphane analog compound 30. Enhancement of GSTs and to a lesser extent GPx and GSH, resulting in a more efficient detoxification, may explain at least in part the anticarcinogenic properties of sulforaphane analog compound 30, and to a much lesser extent of indole-3-carbinol and D-limonene.

Prevention of oxidative DNA damage in rats by brussels sprouts

The alleged cancer preventive effects of cruciferous vegetables could be related to protection from mutagenic oxidative DNA damage. We have studied the effects of Brussels sprouts, some non-cruciferous vegetables and isolated glucosinolates on spontaneous and induced oxidative DNA damage in terms of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) in groups of 6-8 male Wistar rats. Excess oxidative DNA damage was induced by 2-nitropropane (2-NP 100 mg/kg). Four days oral administration of 3 g of cooked Brussels sprouts homogenate reduced the spontaneous urinary 8-oxodG excretion by 31% (p<0.05) whereas raw sprouts, beans and endive (1:1), isolated indolyl glucosinolates and breakdown products had no significant effect. An aqueous extract of cooked Brussels sprouts (corresponding to 6.7 g vegetable per day for 4 days) decreased the spontaneous 8-oxodG excretion from 92 +/- 12 to 52 +/- 15 pmol/24 h (p<0.05). After 2-NP administration the 8-oxodG excretion was increased to 132 +/- 26 pmol/24 h (p<0.05) whereas pretreatment with the sprouts extract reduced this to 102 +/- 30 pmol/24 h (p<0.05). The spontaneous level of 8-oxodG in nuclear DNA from liver and bone marrow was not significantly affected by the sprouts extract whereas the level decreased by 27% in the kidney (p<0.05). In the liver 2-NP increased the 8-oxodG levels in nuclear DNA 8.7 and 3.8 times (p<0.05) 6 and 24 h after dose, respectively. The sprouts extract reduced this increase by 57% (p<0.05) at 6 h whereas there was no significant effect at 24 h. In the kidneys 2-NP increased the 8-oxodG levels 2.2 and 1.2 times (p<0.05) 6 and 24 h after dose, respectively. Pretreatment with the sprouts extract abolished these increases (p<0.05). Similarly, in the bone marrow the extract protected completely (p<0.05) against a 4.9-fold 2-NP induced increase (p<0.05) in the 8-oxodG level. These findings demonstrate that cooked Brussels sprouts contain bioactive substance(s) with a potential for reducing the physiological as well as oxidative stress induced oxidative DNA damage in rats. This could explain the suggested cancer preventive effect of cruciferous vegetables. The correspondence between the urinary excretion and 8-oxodG levels in 2-NP target organs supports its being the main repair product that reflects the rate of guanine oxidation in DNA.

A comparison of the individual and collective effects of four glucosinolate breakdown products from brussels sprouts on induction of detoxification enzymes

Four glucosinolate derivatives were evaluated individually and as a mixture for their effects on hepatic P4501A (CYP1A), glutathione S-transferase (GST), quinone reductase (QR), glutathione reductase (G-Rd), and GSH levels. Doses of the derivatives were chosen to represent their relative abundance in Brussels sprouts. Adult male F344 rats received either corn oil (vehicle); one of the agents: indole-3-carbinol (I3C, 56 mg/kg), iberin (38 mg/kg), phenylethylisothiocyanate (PEITC, 0.1 mg/kg), or cyanohydroxybutene (crambene, 50 mg/kg); or all of the agents at the doses shown (as a mixture) given by gavage daily for 7 days. The mixture and I3C caused an 11- and 9.4-fold induction of CYP1A, respectively. Crambene and I3C each caused a 1.4-fold increase in GST, while the mixture caused a 2.5-fold increase. Crambene and I3C caused a 2.5- and 1.9-fold increase in QR, respectively. The mixture caused a 6.2-fold increase. Crambene, PEITC, and the mixture caused a 1.8-, 1.6-, and 2.0-fold increase in hepatic GSH levels, respectively. Crambene, I3C, iberin, and the mixture caused 1.3-, 1.4-, 1.2-, and 1.7-fold increases in G-Rd, respectively. In a second study the mixture was given at 60 and 20% of the original dose. CYP 1A, QR, G-Rd, and GST elevations were dose-dependent; GSH levels were not elevated. It is concluded that I3C and crambene are responsible for the majority of enzyme increases seen. A synergistic effect of I3C and crambene was evident on induction of GST and QR, but not on GSH, G-Rd, or P4501A.

Activation by sodium fluoride of drug-metabolizing enzymes in rat hepatoma-derived Fa32 cells

Protection against xenobiotic insult, including cancer chemoprotection, can be achieved by a variety of natural and synthetic compounds belonging to over 20 different classes of chemicals. They all induce or activate drug-metabolizing enzymes. The discovery of a new class of activator is currently reported. Sodium fluoride activated the phase I ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (to 240%) and pentoxyresorufin-O-depentylase (to 156%), and the phase II glutathione transferase to 120% of the basal activities in rat hepatoma-derived Fa32 cells. It is, therefore, a bifunctional enzyme activator. A time- and concentration-dependent activation was observed. A possible impact of the daily fluoride uptake from drinking water is suggested.

Extending functional life span

Average life expectancy at birth is a rough measure of the span of healthy, productive life--the functional life span. In the developed countries average life expectancies at birth now range from 76-79 years, six to nine years less than the limit of about 85 years imposed by aging. Aging is the accumulation of changes that increase the risk of death. Aging changes can be attributed to development, genetic defects, the environment, disease, and the inborn aging process. The latter is the major risk factor for disease and death after age 28 in the developed countries. The free radical theory of aging arose in 1954; it postulated that aging changes were caused by free radical reactions. There is now a growing consensus, largely based on the results of measures to minimize more-or-less random endogenous free radical reactions, that such reactions are a major cause of aging, possibly the only one. Some of these studies are presented following a brief discussion of free radical reactions.

Mechanistic insights into chemopreventive effects of phenethyl isothiocyanate in N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine-treated hamsters

The influence of phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) on cell kinetics in the target organs of N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) tumorigenicity and on xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes was investigated in hamsters. Female 5-week-old Syrian hamsters were given a single s.c. dose of 0, 20 or 50 mg/kg of BOP 2 h after receiving PEITC by gavage at a dose of 0, 100 or 250 mumol/animal (0, 16.3 or 40.8 mg/animal). Six and 22 h after the BOP administration, hamsters were killed and tissues were sampled. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunohistochemistry demonstrated significant reduction (P < 0.05-0.001) by PEITC of the labeling indices in the pancreatic acini and ducts, bronchioles, and renal tubules of the BOP-treated animals in a dose-dependent manner. In the lungs, the PEITC pretreatment significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the O6-methyldeoxyguanosine levels as compared to the BOP-alone value. Immunoblot analysis of liver cytochrome P450 isoenzymes showed CYP 2B1 to be mainly involved in the metabolic activation of BOP. PEITC significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited the induction of several isoenzymes, including CYP 2B1, while lowering the hepatic glutathione S-transferase activity as well as glutathione levels, regardless of BOP administration. Our results thus suggest that PEITC exerts its chemopreventive activity against BOP initiation of carcinogenesis in hamsters by decreasing cell turnover and DNA methylation in the target organs, and by influencing hepatic xenobiotic-metabolizing phase I enzymes, although the relationship, if any, of the latter with the former events remains to be investigated.

Broccoli sprouts: an exceptionally rich source of inducers of enzymes that protect against chemical carcinogens

Induction of phase 2 detoxication enzymes [e.g., glutathione transferases, epoxide hydrolase, NAD(P)H: quinone reductase, and glucuronosyltransferases] is a powerful strategy for achieving protection against carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, and other forms of toxicity of electrophiles and reactive forms of oxygen. Since consumption of large quantities of fruit and vegetables is associated with a striking reduction in the risk of developing a variety of malignancies, it is of interest that a number of edible plants contain substantial quantities of compounds that regulate mammalian enzymes of xenobiotic metabolism. Thus, edible plants belonging to the family Cruciferae and genus Brassica (e.g., broccoli and cauliflower) contain substantial quantities of isothiocyanates (mostly in the form of their glucosinolate precursors) some of which (e.g., sulforaphane or 4-methylsulfinylbutyl isothiocyanate) are very potent inducers of phase 2 enzymes. Unexpectedly, 3-day-old sprouts of cultivars of certain crucifers including broccoli and cauliflower contain 10-100 times higher levels of glucoraphanin (the glucosinolate of sulforaphane) than do the corresponding mature plants. Glucosinolates and isothiocyanates can be efficiently extracted from plants, without hydrolysis of glucosinolates by myrosinase, by homogenization in a mixture of equal volumes of dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide, and acetonitrile at -50 degrees C. Extracts of 3-day-old broccoli sprouts (containing either glucoraphanin or sulforaphane as the principal enzyme inducer) were highly effective in reducing the incidence, multiplicity, and rate of development of mammary tumors in dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-treated rats. Notably, sprouts of many broccoli cultivars contain negligible quantities of indole glucosinolates, which predominate in the mature vegetable and may give rise to degradation products (e.g., indole-3-carbinol) that can enhance tumorigenesis. Hence, small quantities of crucifer sprouts may protect against the risk of cancer as effectively as much larger quantities of mature vegetables of the same variety.

Comprehensive analysis of proteins which interact with the antioxidant responsive element: correlation of ARE-BP-1 with the chemoprotective induction response

Transcriptional activation of the mouse glutathione S-transferase Ya gene by chemoprotective molecules is mediated through the interaction of trans-acting factors with an antioxidant responsive element (ARE) in the promoter region of this gene. In a step toward identifying those factors which bind productively to the GST Ya ARE, all of the discernible, specific ARE-binding proteins (ARE-BP) in nuclear extracts from HepG2 cells were systematically characterized. By gel-mobility-shift analysis, seven specific ARE-BPs, termed ARE-BP-1 through 7 in order of increasing mobility, were observed that did not vary in concentration or migration between induced and uninduced cell extracts. The molecular weights of the individual ARE-BP subunits were determined by a two-dimensional electrophoresis protocol. Ferguson gel analysis of native protein size indicated that several of the ARE-BP-DNA complexes are composed of multiple protein subunits. Wild-type AREs and GST Ya ARE fragments and mutant sequences were evaluated for their ability to mediate induction in a reporter gene system in HepG2 cells. This same panel of sites was tested in an in vitro binding assay for the ability to compete for the ARE-BPs. A binding profile for each ARE-BP was compiled. Correlation between the ARE-BP binding profiles and induction results indicated that: (i) the ARE-BP-1 and ARE-BP-2 complexes formed only with AREs that supported induction, and (ii) the ARE-BP-4 complex formed with all inducible AREs, but it also bound to ARE mutants that failed to support induction. Based on the studies, an early composite regulatory element model for ARE-mediated expression is presented. ARE-BP-1 is proposed to be the mediator of the ARE's unique induction response to chemoprotective agents.

Chemopreventive efficacy of anethole trithione, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, miconazole and phenethylisothiocyanate in the DMBA-induced rat mammary cancer model

The chemopreventive efficacy of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), anethole trithione, miconazole and phenethylisothiocyanate (PEITC), each of which would be expected to alter carcinogen metabolism, was examined in the dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) mammary carcinogenesis model. In this protocol, animals were exposed to non-toxic doses of the chemopreventives in the diet beginning 7 days prior to DMBA administration and then continuously throughout the duration of the assay (100 days post carcinogen). Miconazole, an antifungal agent with relatively broad inhibitory activity toward a variety of cytochromes P450, increased mammary tumor latency, decreased tumor incidence at the highest dose and decreased tumor multiplicity up to 60%. Anethole trithione, a substituted dithiolthione and an analog of the relatively broad-spectrum chemopreventive oltipraz, was administered in the diet and significantly inhibited mammary cancer multiplicity but not cancer incidence. NAC, an antimucolytic agent, failed to inhibit DMBA-induced mammary tumorigenesis. Surprisingly, treatment with DMBA plus PEITC, a potent inhibitor of cytochrome P450 2E1, actually increased the multiplicity of tumors relative to that observed with DMBA alone.

Perspectives in cancer chemoprevention

Cancer chemoprevention can be defined as prevention of cancer by the administration of one or more chemical entities, either as individual drugs or as naturally occurring constituents of the diet. Based largely on the time period that chemopreventive agents exhibit activity in animal models of carcinogenesis, they can be classified as inhibitors of carcinogen formation, blocking agents, and suppressing agents. The majority of compounds that inhibit the formation of carcinogens prevent the formation of nitrosamines from secondary amines and nitrite in an acidic environment. Blocking agents are inhibitors of tumor initiation, while suppressing agents are inhibitors of tumor promotion/progression. Many well-characterized chemopreventive agents act at one or more steps in both tumor initiation and promotion/progression. The objective of this paper is to provide a general discussion of the mechanisms through which chemopreventive agents inhibit carcinogenesis. Examples of agents that act through these mechanisms are given; however, a complete listing of effective chemopreventive agents is not possible within the context of this paper. At the conclusion is a brief discussion of future prospects in cancer chemoprevention and obstacles to overcome.

Chemoprevention by inducers of carcinogen detoxication enzymes

One of the major mechanisms of chemical protection against carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, and other forms of toxicity mediated by electrophiles is the induction of enzymes involved in their metabolism, particularly phase 2 enzymes such as glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferases, and NAD(P)H:quinone reductase. Furthermore, induction of phase 2 enzymes appears to be a sufficient condition for obtaining chemoprevention and can be achieved in many target tissues by administering any of a diverse array of naturally occurring and synthetic chemical agents. One class of chemopreventive agents, 1,2-dithiole-3-thiones, was developed on the basis of their potent activity in rodent tissues as inducers of GSTs. A substituted dithiolethione, oltipraz [4-methyl-5-(2-pyrazinyl)-1,2-dithiole-3-thione], is an effective inhibitor of aflatoxin B1-mediated hepatocarcinogenesis in the rat. Oltipraz produces dramatic decreases in the levels of aflatoxin-DNA adducts in the liver as well as in the urinary levels of the depurination product aflatoxin-N7-guanine. Corresponding increases are seen in the biliary elimination of aflatoxin-glutathione conjugates. Administration of oltipraz results in 3- to 4-fold increases in hepatic cytosolic GST activities and mRNA levels for some alpha, mu and pi isoforms. Nuclear run-on assays have indicated that oltipraz treatment elevates rates of transcription of some GST subunits. In the rat, induction of phase 2 enzymes by oltipraz is mediated, at least in part, through the antioxidant response element in the 5' flanking region of these genes. Although oltipraz has a very short plasma half-life, elevations in the levels of some GST isoforms can persist up to 1 week after dosing with oltipraz. Concordantly, intermittent dosing schedules (i.e., once a week) are nearly as effective as daily interventions for inhibition of aflatoxin-mediated hepatic tumorigenesis. The protective efficacy of daily and weekly administration of oltipraz to people in Qidong, People's Republic of China, who are at high risk for aflatoxin exposure and subsequent development of hepetocellular carcinoma, is currently under evaluation.

Characterization of a polymorphism in NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase (DT-diaphorase)

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1, EC 1.6.99.2) is an obligate two-electron reductase that can either bioactivate or detoxify quinones and has been proposed to play an important role in chemoprevention. We have previously characterized a homozygous point mutation in the BE human colon carcinoma cell line that leads to a loss of NQO1 activity. Sequence analysis showed that this mutation was at position 609 of the NQO1 cDNA, conferring a proline to serine substitution at position 187 of the NQO1 enzyme. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, we have found that the H596 human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line has elevated NQO1 mRNA, but no detectable enzyme activity. Sequencing of the coding region of NQO1 from the H596 cells showed the presence of the identical homozygous point mutation present in the BE cell line. Expression and purification of recombinant wild-type and mutant protein from E. coli showed that mutant protein could be detected using immunoblot analysis and had 2% of the enzymatic activity of the wild-type protein. PCR and Northern blot analysis showed moderate to low levels of expression of the correctly sized transcript in the mutant cells. Immunoblot analysis also revealed that recombinant mutant protein was immunoreactive; however, the mutant protein was not detected in the cytosol of either BE or H596 cells, suggesting that the mutant proteins were either not translated or were rapidly degraded. The absence of any detectable, active protein, therefore, appears to be responsible for the lack of NQO1 activity in cells homozygous for the mutation. A polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis for the mutation at position 609 conducted on 90 human lung tissue samples (45 matched sets of tumour and uninvolved tissue) revealed a 7% incidence of individuals homozygous for the mutation, and 42% heterozygous for the mutation. These data suggest that the mutation at position 609 represents a polymorphism in an important xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme, which has implications for cancer therapy, chemoprevention and chemoprotection.

Natural products and their derivatives as cancer chemopreventive agents

This review summarizes currently available data on the chemopreventive efficacies, proposed mechanisms of action and relationships between activities and structures of natural products like vitamin D, calcium, dehydroepidandrosterone, coenzyme Q10, celery seed oil, parsley leaf oil, sulforaphane, isoflavonoids, lignans, protease inhibitors, tea polyphenols, curcumin, and polysaccharides from Acanthopanax genus.

Genetics of aliphatic glucosinolates. IV. Side-chain modification in Brassica oleracea

The biochemical and genetical relationship between aliphatic glucosinolates which have methylthioalkyl, methylsulphinylalkyl and alkenyl side chains has not been resolved by biochemical studies. In this study, two hypothetical models are tested by the genetic analysis of a backcross population between Brassica drepanensis and B. atlantica. The results support one of the models in which 3-methylthiopropyl glucosinolate is sequentially converted to 3-methylsulphinylpropyl, and then to 2-propenyl glucosinolate, by the action of dominant alleles at two loci. RFLP mapping positioned both loci on the same linkage group homologous to the B. napus N19 linkage group. The implication of the results for the genetic manipulation of glucosinolates in Brassica to improve flavour and nutritional properties, and in order to investigate plant-insect interactions, is discussed.

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.

Modulation of gene expression in subjects at risk for colorectal cancer by the chemopreventive dithiolethione oltipraz

Prolonged exposure to mutagenic substances is strongly associated with an individual's risk of developing colorectal cancer. Clinical investigation of oltipraz as a chemopreventive agent is supported by its induction of the expression of detoxication enzymes in various tissues, and its protective activity against the formation of chemically induced colorectal tumors in animals. The goals of the present study were: to determine if oltipraz could induce detoxicating gene expression in human tissues; to identify effective non-toxic doses for more extensive clinical testing; and to establish a relationship between effects in the colon mucosa and those in a more readily available tissue, the peripheral mononuclear cell. 24 evaluable patients at high risk for colorectal cancer were treated in a dose-finding study with oltipraz 125, 250, 500, or 1,000 mg/m2 as a single oral dose. Biochemical analysis of sequential blood samples and colon mucosal biopsies revealed increases in glutathione transferase activity at the lower dose levels. These effects were not observed at the higher doses. More pronounced changes were observed in detoxicating enzyme gene expression in both tissues at all doses. Peripheral mononuclear cell and colon mRNA content for gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS) and DT-diaphorase increased after dosing to reach a peak on day 2-4 after treatment, and declined to baseline in the subsequent 7-10 d. The extent of induction of gene expression in colon mucosa reached a peak of 5.75-fold for gamma-GCS, and a peak of 4.14-fold for DT-diaphorase at 250 mg/m2 ; higher doses were not more effective. Levels of gamma-GCS and DT-diaphorase correlated closely (P < or = 0.001) between peripheral mononuclear cells and colon mucosa both at baseline and at peak. These findings demonstrate that the administration of minimally toxic agents at low doses may modulate the expression of detoxicating genes in the tissues of individuals at high risk for cancer. Furthermore, peripheral mononuclear cells may be used as a noninvasive surrogate endpoint biomarker for the transcriptional response of normal colon mucosa to drug administration.

Adaptive response to glutathione S-transferase inhibitors

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Are whole extracts and purified glucosinolates from cruciferous vegetables antioxidants?

Fruits and vegetables contain several classes of compounds that can potentially contribute to antioxidant activity, including vitamins, simple and complex phenolics, sulphur-containing compounds and glucosinolates. The glucosinolates are found in high concentration in many cruciferous vegetables, and it is well established that their breakdown products induce endogenous antioxidant defences such as quinone reductase and glutathione S-transferase in cells and in vivo. Despite the anticarcinogenic effect of these compounds in animal models, the direct antioxidant properties of this class of compounds have not been systematically studied. We therefore examined the free radical-scavenging properties of representative extracts and of purified glucosinolates from cruciferous vegetables, by measuring their effect on ascorbate- or NADPH/iron-induced peroxidation of human liver microsomes, ascorbate/iron-induced peroxidation on phospholipid liposomes, iron chelation and hydroxyl radical scavenging using the deoxyribose assay, total antioxidant potential using ABTS (2,2'-azinobis(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulphonate)) and the bleomycin assay. Most of the extracts from cruciferous vegetables exhibited some antioxidant properties, although extracts from cooked Brussels sprouts increased the rate of microsomal lipid peroxidation. The effects in these assays were dependent upon processing and species of crucifer, and the glucosinolate content appeared to play a minor role in these effects, since purified glucosinolates exhibited only weak antioxidant properties. The total antioxidant activities of extracts from cooked and autolysed Brussels sprouts were identical within experimental error. This is probably due to the content of phenolics which is unaltered by autolysis, despite the differences between these samples in other assays especially NADPH-iron-induced lipid peroxidation of human liver microsomes. The results demonstrate that glucosinolates are unlikely to account for the direct antioxidant effects of extracts from cruciferous vegetables.

Mammary tumorigenesis and chemoprevention studies in carcinogen-treated rats

The objectives of this review are to describe the induction of mammary gland tumors by chemical carcinogens and to discuss their application to mammary cancer chemoprevention research. Special emphasis will be placed on the dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and methylnitrosourea (MNU) models because of the extensive information available about the pathogenesis of tumor growth associated with these two compounds. Both models have been widely used in the investigation of novel cancer chemopreventive agents. The current status of a number of different approaches will be summarized briefly here to provide an overview of research opportunities. Despite the popularity of the DMBA and MNU models in laboratory studies of mammary cancer biology and prevention, neither of these carcinogens has ever been implicated in the etiology of human breast cancer. This shortcoming has prompted a growing interest in other relevant environmental chemicals which are capable of producing mammary tumors in experimental animals. The new models have yet to be fully characterized, but they may be more appropriate than the DMBA and MNU models as paradigms for assessing cancer risk in humans and for developing suitable cancer prevention strategies.

Parallel induction of heme oxygenase-1 and chemoprotective phase 2 enzymes by electrophiles and antioxidants: regulation by upstream antioxidant-responsive elements (ARE)

BACKGROUND

Heme oxygenase (HO; EC 1.14.99.3) catalyzes the conversion of heme to biliverdin, which is reduced enzymatically to bilirubin. Since bilirubin is a potent antioxidant and heme a pro-oxidant, HO may protect cells against oxidative damage. HO-1 is highly inducible by diverse chemical agents, resembling those evoking induction of phase 2 enzymes (i.e., Michael reaction acceptors, heavy metals, trivalent arsenicals, and sulfhydryl reagents). Phase 2 enzymes (glutathione transferases; NAD (P)H:quinone reductase; glucuronosyltransferases) are regulated by antioxidant-responsive elements (ARE), and their induction protects against chemical carcinogenesis. Is HO-1 regulated by chemical agents and enhancer elements similar to those controlling phase 2 enzymes?

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Induction of HO-1 by phorbol ester and heavy metals is transcriptionally controlled through a 268-bp SX2 fragment, containing two phorbol ester-responsive (TRE) sites (TGAC/GT C/AA) which overlap ARE consensus sequences (TGACNNNGC). Therefore, mutations of the SX2 element designed to distinguish ARE from TRE were inserted into chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter plasmids, and the response of the CAT activity of murine hepatoma cells stably transfected with these constructs was examined with a wide range of inducers of phase 2 enzymes.

RESULTS

All compounds raised HO-1 mRNA and CAT expression constructs containing wild-type SX2. When the SX2 region was mutated to alter TRE consensus sequences without destroying the ARE consensus, full inducibility was preserved. Conversely, when the ARE consensus was disturbed, inducibility was abolished.

CONCLUSION

Induction of heme oxygenase-1 is regulated by several chemically distinct classes of inducers (mostly electrophiles), which also induce phase 2 enzymes, and these inductions are mediated by similar AREs. These findings support the importance of HO-1 as a protector against oxidative damage and suggest that HO-1 induction is part of a more generalized protective cellular response that involves phase 2 enzymes.

Isothiocyanates as substrates for human glutathione transferases: structure-activity studies

The catalytic properties of four human glutathione transferases (GSTs), A1-1, M1-1, M4-4 and P1-1, were examined with 14 isothiocyanate (R-NCS) substrates. The compounds include aliphatic and aromatic homologues, some of which are natural constituents of human food, namely sulphoraphane [1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulphinyl)butane], erucin [1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylthio)butane], erysolin [1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulphonyl)butane], benzyl-NCS, phenethyl-NCS and allyl-NCS. All isothiocyanates investigated were substrates for the four GSTs. The enzymes promote addition of the thiol group of GSH to the electrophilic central carbon of the isothiocyanate group to form dithiocarbamates [R-NH-C(=S)-SG] which have high UV absorption at 274 nm. Molar absorption coefficients and non-enzymic rate constants as well as standardized enzyme assay conditions for all compounds were established. Of the four isoenzymes investigated, GSTs M1-1 and P1-1 were generally the most efficient catalysts, whereas GST M4-4 was the least efficient. Isothiocyanates are among the GST substrates that are most rapidly conjugated. On the basis of rate-enhancement data and binding energies, the isothiocyanates were compared with 4-hydroxyalkenals, another class of natural GST substrates previously subjected to systematic kinetic analysis. The incremental transition-state stabilization attributable to an increased number of methylene groups in homologous alkyl isothiocyanates is similar to that previously noted for homologous 4-hydroxyalkenals.

Electrophile and antioxidant regulation of enzymes that detoxify carcinogens

Detoxication (phase 2) enzymes, such as glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), NAD(P)H:(quinone-acceptor) oxidoreductase (QR), and UDP-glucuronsyltransferase, are induced in animal cells exposed to a variety of electrophilic compounds and phenolic antioxidants. Induction protects against the toxic and neoplastic effects of carcinogens and is mediated by activation of upstream electrophile-responsive/antioxidant-responsive elements (EpRE/ARE). The mechanism of activation of these enhancers was analyzed by transient gene expression of growth hormone reporter constructs containing a 41-bp region derived from the mouse GST Ya gene 5'-upstream region that contains the EpRE/ARE element and of constructs in which this element was replaced with either one or two consensus phorbol 12-tetradecanoate 13-acetate (TPA)-responsive elements (TREs). When these three constructs were compared in Hep G2 (human) and Hepa 1c1c7 (murine) hepatoma cells, the wild-type sequence was highly activated by diverse inducers, including tert-butylhydroquinone, Michael reaction acceptors, 1,2-dithiole-3-thione, sulforaphane,2,3-dimercapto-1-propanol, HgCl2, sodium arsenite, and phenylarsine oxide. In contrast, constructs with consensus TRE sites were not induced significantly. TPA in combination with these compounds led to additive or synergistic inductions of the EpRE/ARE construct, but induction of the TRE construct was similar to that induced by TPA alone. Transfection of the EpRE/ARE reporter construct into F9 cells, which lack endogenous TRE-binding proteins, produced large inductions by the same compounds, which also induced QR activity in these cells. We conclude that activation of the EpRE/ARE by electrophile and antioxidant inducers is mediated by EpRE/ARE-specific proteins.

The three-dimensional structure of NAD(P)H:quinone reductase, a flavoprotein involved in cancer chemoprotection and chemotherapy: mechanism of the two-electron reduction

Quinone reductase [NAD(P)H:(quinone acceptor) oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.99.2], also called DT diaphorase, is a homodimeric FAD-containing enzyme that catalyzes obligatory NAD(P)H-dependent two-electron reductions of quinones and protects cells against the toxic and neoplastic effects of free radicals and reactive oxygen species arising from one-electron reductions. These two-electron reductions participate in the reductive bioactivation of cancer chemotherapeutic agents such as mitomycin C in tumor cells. Thus, surprisingly, the same enzymatic reaction that protects normal cells activates cytotoxic drugs used in cancer chemotherapy. The 2.1-A crystal structure of rat liver quinone reductase reveals that the folding of a portion of each monomer is similar to that of flavodoxin, a bacterial FMN-containing protein. Two additional portions of the polypeptide chains are involved in dimerization and in formation of the two identical catalytic sites to which both monomers contribute. The crystallographic structures of two FAD-containing enzyme complexes (one containing NADP+, the other containing duroquinone) suggest that direct hydride transfers from NAD(P)H to FAD and from FADH2 to the quinone [which occupies the site vacated by NAD(P)H] provide a simple rationale for the obligatory two-electron reductions involving a ping-pong mechanism.

Bionutrition and oral cancer in humans

Tobacco (smoking and smokeless) use and excessive consumption of alcohol are considered the main risk factors for oral cancer (ICD9 140-149). Conspicuous national and international variations in oral cancer incidence and mortality rates, as well as observations in migrant populations, raise the possibility that diet and nutritional status could be an important etiologic factor in oral carcinogenesis. As shown in this report, abuse of alcohol and tobacco has serious nutritional implications for the host, and generates increased production of reactive free radicals as well as eliciting immunosuppression. Maintenance of optimal competence of the immune system is critical for cancer surveillance. Active oxygen species and other reactive free radicals mediate phenotypic and genotypic alterations that lead from mutation to neoplasia. Consequently, the most widely used chemopreventive agents against oral cancer (e.g., vitamins A, E, C, and beta-carotene) are anti-oxidants/free radical scavengers. These anti-oxidants, both natural and synthetic, neutralize metabolic products (including reactive oxygen species), interfere with activation of procarcinogens, prevent binding of carcinogens to DNA, inhibit chromosome aberrations, restrain replication of the transformed cell, suppress actions of cancer promoters, and may even induce regression of precancerous oral lesions such as leukoplakia and erythroplakia. Malnutrition is characterized by marked tissue depletion of anti-oxidant nutrients, including GSH (gamma-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine), a key cellular anti-oxidant as well as a modulator of T-cell activation. GSH or its precursor cysteine inhibits activation of the nuclear transcription factor kB(NFkB), and has been shown to be protective against chemically induced oral cancer and leukoplakia. Alcohol-, tobacco-, and/or malnutrition-induced immunosuppression promotes impaired salivary gland function and oral mucosal immunity, a prominent reduction in the number of helper CD4 cells with less marked changes in number of suppressor T-cells, and depressed NK cell activity, among others. These suggest a breakdown in capacity or the malnourished to mount effective tumor surveillance. This review article underscores the compounding but important roles of nutritional/dietary factors in the long-established causal link between abuse of alcohol and tobacco (smoking and smokeless) and oral cancer.

The glutathione S-transferase supergene family: regulation of GST and the contribution of the isoenzymes to cancer chemoprotection and drug resistance

The glutathione S-transferases (GST) represent a major group of detoxification enzymes. All eukaryotic species possess multiple cytosolic and membrane-bound GST isoenzymes, each of which displays distinct catalytic as well as noncatalytic binding properties: the cytosolic enzymes are encoded by at least five distantly related gene families (designated class alpha, mu, pi, sigma, and theta GST), whereas the membrane-bound enzymes, microsomal GST and leukotriene C4 synthetase, are encoded by single genes and both have arisen separately from the soluble GST. Evidence suggests that the level of expression of GST is a crucial factor in determining the sensitivity of cells to a broad spectrum of toxic chemicals. In this article the biochemical functions of GST are described to show how individual isoenzymes contribute to resistance to carcinogens, antitumor drugs, environmental pollutants, and products of oxidative stress. A description of the mechanisms of transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of GST isoenzymes is provided to allow identification of factors that may modulate resistance to specific noxious chemicals. The most abundant mammalian GST are the class alpha, mu, and pi enzymes and their regulation has been studied in detail. The biological control of these families is complex as they exhibit sex-, age-, tissue-, species-, and tumor-specific patterns of expression. In addition, GST are regulated by a structurally diverse range of xenobiotics and, to date, at least 100 chemicals have been identified that induce GST; a significant number of these chemical inducers occur naturally and, as they are found as nonnutrient components in vegetables and citrus fruits, it is apparent that humans are likely to be exposed regularly to such compounds. Many inducers, but not all, effect transcriptional activation of GST genes through either the antioxidant-responsive element (ARE), the xenobiotic-responsive element (XRE), the GST P enhancer 1(GPE), or the glucocorticoid-responsive element (GRE). Barbiturates may transcriptionally activate GST through a Barbie box element. The involvement of the Ah-receptor, Maf, Nrl, Jun, Fos, and NF-kappa B in GST induction is discussed. Many of the compounds that induce GST are themselves substrates for these enzymes, or are metabolized (by cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases) to compounds that can serve as GST substrates, suggesting that GST induction represents part of an adaptive response mechanism to chemical stress caused by electrophiles. It also appears probable that GST are regulated in vivo by reactive oxygen species (ROS), because not only are some of the most potent inducers capable of generating free radicals by redox-cycling, but H2O2 has been shown to induce GST in plant and mammalian cells: induction of GST by ROS would appear to represent an adaptive response as these enzymes detoxify some of the toxic carbonyl-, peroxide-, and epoxide-containing metabolites produced within the cell by oxidative stress. Class alpha, mu, and pi GST isoenzymes are overexpressed in rat hepatic preneoplastic nodules and the increased levels of these enzymes are believed to contribute to the multidrug-resistant phenotype observed in these lesions. The majority of human tumors and human tumor cell lines express significant amounts of class pi GST. Cell lines selected in vitro for resistance to anticancer drugs frequently overexpress class pi GST, although overexpression of class alpha and mu isoenzymes is also often observed. The mechanisms responsible for overexpression of GST include transcriptional activation, stabilization of either mRNA or protein, and gene amplification. In humans, marked interindividual differences exist in the expression of class alpha, mu, and theta GST. The molecular basis for the variation in class alpha GST is not known. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Cytidine methylation of regulatory sequences near the pi-class glutathione S-transferase gene accompanies human prostatic carcinogenesis

Hypermethylation of regulatory sequences at the locus of the pi-class glutathione S-transferase gene GSTP1 was detected in 20 of 20 human prostatic carcinoma tissue specimens studied but not in normal tissues or prostatic tissues exhibiting benign hyperplasia. In addition, a striking decrease in GSTP1 expression was found to accompany human prostatic carcinogenesis. Immunohistochemical staining with anti-GSTP1 antibodies failed to detect the enzyme in 88 of 91 prostatic carcinomas analyzed. In vitro, GSTP1 expression was limited to human prostatic cancer cell lines containing GSTP1 alleles with hypomethylated promoter sequences; a human prostatic cancer cell line containing only hypermethylated GSTP1 promoter sequences did not express GSTP1 mRNA or polypeptides. Methylation of cytidine nucleotides in GSTP1 regulatory sequences constitutes the most common genomic alteration yet described for human prostate cancer.

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase1 (DT diaphorase) specifically prevents the formation of benzo[a]pyrene quinone-DNA adducts generated by cytochrome P4501A1 and P450 reductase

Monkey kidney COS1 cells transiently transfected with plasmids pMT2-cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), pMT2-cytochrome P450 reductase (P450 reductase), and pMT2-NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase1 (NQO1 or DT diaphorase), individually or in combination, expressed significantly elevated levels of the respective enzyme(s). The transfected cells were homogenized to break cell membranes without affecting the nuclei and incubated with benzo[a]pyrene (BP) to determine the role of cDNA-encoded enzymes in metabolic activation and/or detoxification of BP. These studies were performed by measuring the capacity of the transfected cells to form DNA adducts as determined by 32P postlabeling and protein adduct detection. Cotransfection of the COS1 cells with cDNAs encoding CYP1A1 and P450 reductase resulted in eight distinct BP-DNA adducts. Inclusion of cDNA encoding NQO1 along with CYP1A1 and P450 reductase in transfection reduced the number of DNA adducts to six. The two lost DNA adducts were specifically eliminated due to the presence of cDNA-derived NQO1 activity. Subsequent experiments with BP-1,6-quinone, BP-3,6-quinone, and BP-6,12-quinone identified these two adducts as those of BP quinones. In an in vitro system, BP-3,6-quinone produced two adducts with deoxyguanosine (dG) but not with dA, dC, and dT. Furthermore, the positions of BP-3,6-quinone-dG adducts on TLC plate correspond to those that are prevented by cDNA-derived NQO1, thus identifying these adducts as BP quinones of dG. In addition, NQO1 reduced the amount of protein-BP adducts generated by CYP1A1 and P450 reductase into transfected COS1 cells. These results show that semiquinones can directly bind to DNA and demonstrate that NQO1 activity can specifically reduce the binding of quinone metabolites of BP generated by CYP1A1 and P450 reductase to DNA and protein.

Anticarcinogenic activities of sulforaphane and structurally related synthetic norbornyl isothiocyanates

Sulforaphane [1-isothiocyanato-4-(methyl-sulfinyl)butane] was recently isolated from one variety of broccoli as the major and very potent inducer of phase 2 detoxication enzymes in murine hepatoma cells in culture. Since phase 2 enzyme induction is often associated with reduced susceptibility of animals and their cells to the toxic and neoplastic effects of carcinogens and other electrophiles, it was important to establish whether sulforaphane could block chemical carcinogenesis. In this paper we report that sulforaphane and three synthetic analogues, designed as potent phase 2 enzyme inducers, block the formation of mammary tumors in Sprague-Dawley rats treated with single doses of 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene. The analogues are exo-2-acetyl-exo-6-isothiocyanatonorbornane, endo-2-acetyl-exo-6-isothiocyanatonorbornane, and exo-2-acetyl-exo-5-isothiocyanatonorbornane. When sulforaphane and exo-2-acetyl-exo-6-isothiocyanatonorbornane were administered by gavage (75 or 150 mumol per day for 5 days) around the time of exposure to the carcinogen, the incidence, multiplicity, and weight of mammary tumors were significantly reduced, and their development was delayed. The analogues endo-2-acetyl-exo-6-isothiocyanatonorbornane and exo-2-acetyl-exo-5-isothiocyanatonorbornane were less potent protectors. Thus, a class of functionalized isothiocyanates with anticarcinogenic properties has been identified. These results validate the thesis that inducers of phase 2 enzymes in cultured cells are likely to protect against carcinogenesis.