Blood polyphenol concentrations and differentiated thyroid carcinoma in women from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study

Promising Approaches in Plant-Based Therapies for Thyroid Cancer: An Overview of In Vitro, In Vivo, and Clinical Trial Studies

Thyroid cancer, particularly undifferentiated tumors, poses a significant challenge due to its limited response to standard therapies. The incidence of thyroid cancer, predominantly differentiated carcinomas, is on the rise globally. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), though rare, is highly aggressive and challenging to treat. Therefore, this study aimed to collect data and explore alternative treatments, focusing on the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with natural compounds as well as the potential role of phytochemicals, including quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, genistein, daidzein, naringenin, hesperitin, anthocyanidins, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), resveratrol, ellagic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, curcumin, saponins, ursolic acid, indole-3-carbinol (I3C), capsaicin, and piperine in thyroid cancer treatment. PDT, utilizing sensitizers activated by tumor-directed light, demonstrates promising specificity compared to traditional treatments. Combining PDT with natural photosensitizers, such as hypericin and genistein, enhances cytotoxicity against thyroid carcinoma cells. This literature review summarizes the current knowledge on phytochemicals and their anti-proliferative effects in in vitro and in vivo studies, emphasizing their effectiveness and mechanism of action as a novel therapeutic approach for thyroid cancers, especially those refractory to standard treatments.

Reassessing the role of phytochemicals in cancer chemoprevention

In this comprehensive review we tried to reassess the role of phytochemicals in cancer chemoprevention. The exploration of the "synergistic effect" concept, advocating combined chemopreventive agents, faces challenges like low bioavailability. The review incorporates personal, occasionally controversial, viewpoints on natural compounds' cancer preventive capabilities, delving into mechanisms. Prioritizing significant contributions within the vast research domain, we aim stimulating discussion to provide a comprehensive insight into the evolving role of phytochemicals in cancer prevention. While early years downplayed the role of phytochemicals, the late nineties witnessed a shift, with leaders exploring their potential alongside synthetic compounds. Challenges faced by chemoprevention, such as limited pharmaceutical interest and cost-effectiveness issues, persist despite successful drugs. Recent studies, including the EPIC study, provide nuanced insights, indicating a modest risk reduction for increased fruit and vegetable intake. Phytochemicals, once attributed to antioxidant effects, face scrutiny due to low bioavailability and conflicting evidence. The Nrf2-EpRE signaling pathway and microbiota-mediated metabolism emerge as potential mechanisms, highlighting the complexity of understanding phytochemical mechanisms in cancer chemoprevention.

Polyphenols as Potential Geroprotectors

Significance: Currently, a large amount of evidence of beneficial effects of diets enriched with polyphenols on various aspects of health has been accumulated. These phytochemicals have a geroprotective potential slowing down the pathological processes associated with aging and ensuring longevity. In this study, a comprehensive analysis was conducted to determine the adherence of individual polyphenols to geroprotector criteria. Data from experimental models, clinical trials, and epidemiological studies were analyzed. Recent Advances: Sixty-two polyphenols have been described to increase the life span and improve biomarkers of aging in animal models. They act via evolutionarily conserved molecular mechanisms, including hormesis and maintenance of redox homeostasis, epigenetic regulation, response to cellular damage, metabolic control, and anti-inflammatory and senolytic activity. Epidemiological and clinical studies suggest that certain polyphenols have a potential for prevention and treatment of various diseases, including cancer, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular conditions in humans. Critical Issues: Among the reviewed phytochemicals, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, epicatechin, genistein, resveratrol, and curcumin were identified as compounds with the highest geroprotective potential. However, there is a lack of unambiguous information on the effectiveness and safety of polyphenols for increasing health span, preventing and treating aging-associated diseases in humans. Future Directions: Further research is needed to fully understand the effects of polyphenols considering their long-term consumption, metabolic modification and bioavailability, complex interactions between different groups of polyphenols and with other phytochemicals, as well as their effects on individuals with different health status. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 40, 564-593.

Plasma Concentration of 36 (Poly)phenols and Prospective Body Weight Change in Participants from the EPIC Cohort

INTRODUCTION

Dietary intake of (poly)phenols has been linked to reduced adiposity and body weight (BW) in several epidemiological studies. However, epidemiological evidence on (poly)phenol biomarkers, particularly plasma concentrations, is scarce. We aimed to investigate the associations between plasma (poly)phenols and prospective BW change in participants from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort.

METHODS

This study included 761 participants with data on BW at baseline and after 5 years of follow-up. Plasma concentrations of 36 (poly)phenols were measured at baseline using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Associations were assessed through general linear mixed models and multinomial logistic regression models, using change in BW as a continuous or as a categorical variable (BW loss, maintenance, gain), respectively. Plasma (poly)phenols were assessed as log2-transformed continuous variables. The false discovery rate (FDR) was used to control for multiple comparisons.

RESULTS

Doubling plasma (poly)phenol concentrations showed a borderline trend towards a positive association with BW loss. Plasma vanillic acid showed the strongest association (-0.53 kg/5 years; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.99, -0.07). Similar results were observed for plasma naringenin comparing BW loss versus BW maintenance (odds ratio: 1.1; 95% CI: 1.0, 1.2). These results did not remain significant after FDR correction.

CONCLUSION

Higher concentrations of plasma (poly)phenols suggested a tendency towards 5-year BW maintenance or loss. While certain associations seemed promising, they did not withstand FDR correction, indicating the need for caution in interpreting these results. Further studies using (poly)phenol biomarkers are needed to confirm these suggestive protective trends.

Reproducibility and dietary correlates of plasma polyphenols in the JPHC-NEXT Protocol Area study

BACKGROUND

In recent years, an increasing number of epidemiological studies have suggested a role of polyphenols in the prevention of chronic diseases. Prospective cohort studies have typically measured polyphenol concentrations in a single blood sample and the reproducibility of plasma polyphenol measurements is largely unknown.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the reproducibility of 35 plasma polyphenols collected at an interval of 1-year. We also examined correlations of these polyphenols with food group intakes calculated from weighed food records (WFR) and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ).

METHODS

The study included 227 middle-aged participants from the JPHC-NEXT Protocol Area in Japan. We measured 35 polyphenols in plasma collected at two points 1-year apart. Food group intakes were calculated from 12-day WFR and FFQ. For the reproducibility analysis, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 35 polyphenol concentrations were examined between the two points. Pearson's partial correlations was used to assess the correlation between polyphenols and food groups.

RESULTS

Moderate- to high ICCs were observed for tea-originated polyphenols such as gallic acid, quercetin, epigallocatechin, and kaempferol - and coffee-derived polyphenols, such as caffeic acid, and ferulic acid. For the dietary analyses, moderate correlations were observed for non-alcoholic beverages intake and epigallocatechin, epicatechin, catechin, and gallic acid. For green tea, higher correlations were observed with these polyphenols.

CONCLUSION

Plasma concentrations of tea and coffee-related polyphenols, except for catechin, had good reproducibility over a 1-year period. The correlations between intake of non-alcoholic beverages, particularly green tea, and tea polyphenols, indicated moderate- to high correlations.

Tumor Microbial Communities and Thyroid Cancer Development-The Protective Role of Antioxidant Nutrients: Application Strategies and Future Directions

Thyroid cancer (TC), the most frequent malignancy of the endocrine system, has recorded an increasing incidence in the last decades. The etiology of TC remains at least partly unknown and, among modifiable risk factors, the gut microbiota and dietary nutrients (vitamins, essential microelements, polyphenols, probiotics) have been recognized to not only influence thyroid function, but exert critical effects on TC development and progression. Recent discoveries on the existence of tumor microbiota also in the TC microenvironment provide further evidence for the essential role of tumor microorganisms in TC etiology and severity, as well as acting as prognostic markers and as a potential target of adjuvant care in the treatment of TC patients. Therefore, in this review, we summarize current knowledge on the relationship of the tumor microbiome with the clinical tumor characteristics and TC progression, also illustrating the molecular mechanisms underlying this association, and how antioxidant nutrients may be used as a novel strategy to both control gut health and reduce the risk for TC. Furthermore, we discuss how new technologies might be exploited for the development of new foods with high nutritional values, antioxidant capability, and even attractiveness to the individual in terms of sensory and emotional features.

Intake of the Total, Classes, and Subclasses of (Poly)Phenols and Risk of Prostate Cancer: A Prospective Analysis of the EPIC Study

Existing epidemiological evidence regarding the potential role of (poly)phenol intake in prostate cancer (PCa) risk is scarce and, in the case of flavonoids, it has been suggested that their intake may increase PCa risk. We investigated the associations between the intake of the total and individual classes and subclasses of (poly)phenols and the risk of PCa, including clinically relevant subtypes. The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort included 131,425 adult men from seven European countries. (Poly)phenol intake at baseline was assessed by combining validated center/country-specific dietary questionnaires and the Phenol-Explorer database. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). In total, 6939 incident PCa cases (including 3501 low-grade and 710 high-grade, 2446 localized and 1268 advanced, and 914 fatal Pca cases) were identified during a mean follow-up of 14 years. No associations were observed between the total intake of (poly)phenols and the risk of PCa, either overall (HRlog2 = 0.99, 95% CI 0.94-1.04) or according to PCa subtype. Null associations were also found between all classes (phenolic acids, flavonoids, lignans, and stilbenes) and subclasses of (poly)phenol intake and the risk of PCa, overall and according to PCa subtype. The results of the current large prospective cohort study do not support any association between (poly)phenol intake and PCa incidence.

Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial potential of Ajwa date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) extract in burn infection

Thermal burns produce tissue damage, which eliminates the protective role of tissue. Due to the extensive tissue damage from severe burns, an overactive immune response occurs. Furthermore, this raises the possibility of getting sepsis, a condition in which a bacterial infection spreads throughout the body rather than only in the area of the injury or localized infection. To determine the compounds of Ajwa dates have the potential as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent in infectious thermal burns. The research method used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guideline. Various references were collected from the online database Google Scholar and PubMed including reports, journals, and all references mostly published no more than the past 10 years. This systematic review revealed 16 research articles that were pertinent. Polyphenolic substances such as flavonoids, glycosides, and phenolic acids were found in ajwa dates. Specified polyphenol chemicals have the ability to interact with one or more immune cell receptors, moving intracellular messages and influencing the host's immunological response. Ajwa dates' polyphenol acts as an anti-inflammatory agent in severe burns by inhibiting the expression of pathogen-associated molecular pattern receptors, controlling transcription factors, and changing the phenotype of macrophage cells, among other ways. The bacterial activity and immune response regulation of Ajwa dates, on the other hand, also serve as an antibacterial agent directly. The polyphenol compounds in Ajwa dates have the potential to operate as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent in infected thermal burns.

Prediagnostic plasma polyphenol concentrations and colon cancer risk: The JPHC nested case-control study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Epidemiological studies that assessed the associations between dietary polyphenol intakes and colon cancer risk have reported largely null results, possibly due to measurement error associated with dietary assessment. We adopted an objective approach by measuring prediagnostic plasma concentrations of 35 polyphenols and assessing associations with colon cancer risk.

METHODS

We conducted a nested-case control study within the Japan Public Health Center-based prospective study (JPHC Study) utilizing plasma samples collected at the time of a five-year follow-up survey between 1995 and 1999. We identified colon cancer cases who developed cancer during the follow-up from the time of blood collection. Controls were matched by age, sex, area code, population size of the area, season of blood collection, year of blood collection, and duration of fasting time before the blood collection. Prediagnostic concentrations of 35 polyphenols from 375 incident colon cancer cases (followed until 2012) and 710 matched controls were measured by tandem mass spectrometry coupled with ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography. We used multivariable conditional logistic regression models adjusted for established colon cancer risk factors to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

In sexes combined log2-transformed multivariable models, circulating levels of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid (P = 0.02), ferulic acid (P = 0.02), and caffeic acid (P = 0.03) were inversely, and 3-hydroxybenzoic acid (P = 0.03) was positively, associated with colon cancer risk. For men only, circulating levels of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid was inversely, and 3,5-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid, gallic acid, (+)-epigallocatechin, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, and epicatechin were positively, associated with colon cancer risk. In women, plasma caffeic acid and ferulic acid concentration were inversely associated with colon cancer risk. However, all these associations were nonsignificant after adjustment for multiple comparisons. The remaining polyphenols were not associated with colon cancer risk.

CONCLUSION

Coffee-derived 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid concentrations were inversely associated with colon cancer risk although the association were nonsignificant after adjustment for multiple comparisons. These results support a possible role of coffee polyphenols in preventing colorectal cancer.

Smoking, Alcohol Consumption, and the Risk of Thyroid Cancer: A Population-Based Korean Cohort Study of 10 Million People

Background: It is unclear if cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption are associated with thyroid cancer risk. Our aim was to explore for any associations between cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption with thyroid cancer, after adjusting for potential confounders. Methods: Using data from the Korean National Health Insurance database, we retrospectively identified individuals aged ≥20 years who participated in the 2009 health screening program and were followed until 2017. We estimated the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for the risk of thyroid cancer using a Cox proportional hazard model, adjusted for age, sex, regular exercise, monthly income, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. Results: During a mean follow-up period of 8.33 ± 0.57 years, of 9,699,104 participants, 89,527 (0.9%) were diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Compared with those who never smoked, current smokers had a lower risk of thyroid cancer (aHR: 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72-0.76), while ex-smokers did not (aHR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96-1.01). There was no significant dose-response relationship with regard to daily amount smoked, duration of smoking, or pack-years. A reduced risk of thyroid cancer was observed in subjects who reported the following categories of alcohol intake (compared with none): mild (aHR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.90-0.93), moderate (aHR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.84-0.89), and heavy (aHR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.82-0.89). Inverse associations with thyroid cancer risk were observed regarding the number of drinking episodes per week and the number of drinks per occasion. A submultiplicative effect of smoking and alcohol consumption was observed (p-interaction <0.001). Conclusions: We observed that thyroid cancer risk was inversely associated with smoking and alcohol consumption, with a significant interaction between these variables.