Cruciferous vegetables intake and the risk of colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of observational studies

Cruciferous vegetables intake reduces pancreatic cancer risk: an updated systematic review with meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The escalating disease burden associated with pancreatic cancer has led to its inclusion as a target of public health efforts. The relationship between the consumption of cruciferous vegetables and the incidence of pancreatic cancer has generated conflicting findings in various epidemiological studies.

METHODS

Eligible studies were cohort or case-control studies reporting on the association between consumption of cruciferous vegetables and pancreatic cancer. PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase were systematically searched for potential studies before 27 July2022. These databases were finally searched again on 1 February 2023. The meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects models, and Stata 17 was employed for the statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies, encompassing 1,135,281 participants from 1989 to 2021, met the inclusion criteria. An inverse association of statistical significance was observed (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.72-0.96). The sensitivity analysis indicates that this result is robust. We conducted subgroup analyses based on region, gender, study design, quality, exclusivity to endocrine tumors, adjustment for smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes, and BMI.

CONCLUSION

This review provided support for the inclusion of cruciferous vegetables in the diet as a cost-effective and readily available prevention.

Effect of cruciferous vegetable intake on cancer: An umbrella review of meta-analysis

Previous systematic evaluations and meta-analyses of the relationship between cruciferous vegetable (CV) intake and cancer risk have yielded inconsistent results. Herein, we summarize and evaluate the existing data and examine the relationship between CV intake and cancer risk. We searched four databases for cancer risk as a key outcome indicator. AMSTAR-2 was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included systematic reviews, PRISMA 2020 was used to evaluate the report quality, and corrected coverage area analysis was used to evaluate the duplication rate of the original documents. Overall, 22 meta-analyses involving 175 independent cancer studies were included. Evidence on lung, gastric, prostate, breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancer, as well as renal cell carcinoma, suggests a potential association between cancer and CV intake, which influences the risk of various cancers. Future research should focus on improving methods and techniques, controlling influencing factors, elucidating underlying mechanisms, and improving evidence quality to demonstrate the association between CV intake and cancer. The potential role of dietary CVs in cancer control has implications for public health policies.

PEITC Induces DNA Damage and Inhibits DNA Repair-Associated Proteins in Human Retinoblastoma Cells In Vitro

Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a natural product, exists in biological activities, including anticancer activity in many human cancer cells. No information shows that PEITC affects DNA damage in human retinoblastoma (RB) cells in vitro. In this study, the aim of experiments was to determine whether PEITC decreased total viable cell number or not by inducing protein expressions involved in DNA damage and repair in Y79 RB cells in vitro. Total cell viability was measured by PI exclusion assay, and PEITC reduced the total Y79 viable cell numbers in a dose-dependent manner. DNA condensation and DNA impairment were conducted by DAPI staining and comet assays, respectively, in Y79 cells. The findings show that PEITC induced DNA condensation dose-dependently based on the brighter fluorescence of cell nuclei stained by DAPI staining. PEITC-induced DNA damage showed a more extended DNA migration smears than that of the control, which was performed by a comet assay. Western blotting was performed to measure the protein expressions involved in DNA damage and repair, which showed that PEITC at 2.5-10 μM increased NRF2, HO-1, SOD (Mn), and catalase; however, it decreased SOD (Cu/Zn) except 10 μM PEITC treatment, and decreased glutathione, which were associated with oxidative stress. Furthermore, PEITC increased DNA-PK, MDC1, H2A.XpSer139, ATMpSer1981, p53, p53pSer15, PARP, HSP70, and HSP90, but decreased TOPIIα, TOPIIβ, and MDM2pSer166 that were associated with DNA damage and repair mechanism in Y79 cells. The examination from confocal laser microscopy shows that PEITC increased H2A.XpSer139 and p53pSer15, and decreased glutathione and TOPIIα in Y79 cells. In conclusion, the cytotoxic effects of PEITC on reducing the number of viable cells may be due to the induction of DNA damage and the alteration of DNA repair proteins in Y79 cells in vitro.

Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Profiles in Diverse Brassica oleracea Crops Provide Insights into the Genetic Regulation of Glucosinolate Profiles

Glucosinolates (GSLs) are plant secondary metabolites commonly found in the cruciferous vegetables of the Brassicaceae family, offering health benefits to humans and defense against pathogens and pests to plants. In this study, we investigated 23 GSL compounds' relative abundance in four tissues of five different Brassica oleracea morphotypes. Using the five corresponding high-quality B. oleracea genome assemblies, we identified 183 GSL-related genes and analyzed their expression with mRNA-Seq data. GSL abundance and composition varied strongly, among both tissues and morphotypes, accompanied by different gene expression patterns. Interestingly, broccoli exhibited a nonfunctional AOP2 gene due to a conserved 2OG-FeII_Oxy domain loss, explaining the unique accumulation of two health-promoting GSLs. Additionally, transposable element (TE) insertions were found to affect the gene structure of MAM3 genes. Our findings deepen the understanding of GSL variation and genetic regulation in B. oleracea morphotypes, providing valuable insights for breeding with tailored GSL profiles in these crops.

Broccoli Consumption and Risk of Cancer: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

BACKGROUND

The scientific literature has reported an inverse association between broccoli consumption and the risk of suffering from several types of cancer; however, the results were not entirely consistent across studies. A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies were conducted to determine the association between broccoli consumption and cancer risk with the aim of clarifying the beneficial biological effects of broccoli consumption on cancer.

METHODS

PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library (CENTRAL), and Epistemonikos databases were searched to identify all published papers that evaluate the impact of broccoli consumption on the risk of cancer. Citation chasing of included studies was conducted as a complementary search strategy. The risk of bias in individual studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A random-effects model meta-analysis was employed to quantitatively synthesize results, with the I2 index used to assess heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Twenty-three case-control studies (n = 12,929 cases and 18,363 controls; n = 31,292 individuals) and 12 cohort studies (n = 699,482 individuals) were included in the meta-analysis. The results suggest an inverse association between broccoli consumption and the risk of cancer both in case-control studies (OR: 0.64, 95% CI from 0.58 to 0.70, p < 0.001; Q = 35.97, p = 0.072, I2 = 30.49%-moderate heterogeneity; τ2 = 0.016) and cohort studies (RR: 0.89, 95% CI from 0.82 to 0.96, p = 0.003; Q = 13.51, p = 0.333, I2 = 11.21%-low heterogeneity; τ2 = 0.002). Subgroup analysis suggested a potential benefit of broccoli consumption in site-specific cancers only in case-control studies.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, the findings indicate that individuals suffering from some type of cancer consumed less broccoli, suggesting a protective biological effect of broccoli on cancer. More studies, especially cohort studies, are necessary to clarify the possible beneficial effect of broccoli on several types of cancer.

Natural H2S-donors: A new pharmacological opportunity for the management of overweight and obesity

The prevalence of overweight and obesity has progressively increased in the last few years, becoming a real threat to healthcare systems. To date, the clinical management of body weight gain is an unmet medical need, as there are few approved anti-obesity drugs and most require an extensive monitoring and vigilance due to risk of adverse effects and poor patient adherence/persistence. Growing evidence has shown that the gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and, therefore, H2S-donors could have a central role in the prevention and treatment of overweight/obesity. The main natural sources of H2S-donors are plants from the Alliaceae (garlic and onion), Brassicaceae (e.g., broccoli, cabbage, and wasabi), and Moringaceae botanical families. In particular, polysulfides and isothiocyanates, which slowly release H2S, derive from the hydrolysis of alliin from Alliaceae and glucosinolates from Brassicaceae/Moringaceae, respectively. In this review, we describe the emerging role of endogenous H2S in regulating adipose tissue function and the potential efficacy of natural H2S-donors in animal models of overweight/obesity, with a final focus on the preliminary results from clinical trials. We conclude that organosulfur-containing plants and their extracts could be used before or in combination with conventional anti-obesity agents to improve treatment efficacy and reduce inflammation in obesogenic conditions. However, further high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish their clinical efficacy.

Formation of DNA Adducts by 1-Methoxy-3-indolylmethylalcohol, a Breakdown Product of a Glucosinolate, in the Mouse: Impact of the SULT1A1 Status-Wild-Type, Knockout or Humanised

We previously found that feeding rats with broccoli or cauliflower leads to the formation of characteristic DNA adducts in the liver, intestine and various other tissues. We identified the critical substances in the plants as 1-methoxy-3-indolylmethyl (1-MIM) glucosinolate and its degradation product 1-MIM-OH. DNA adduct formation and the mutagenicity of 1-MIM-OH in cell models were drastically enhanced when human sulfotransferase (SULT) 1A1 was expressed. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of SULT1A1 in DNA adduct formation by 1-MIM-OH in mouse tissues in vivo. Furthermore, we compared the endogenous mouse Sult1a1 and transgenic human SULT1A1 in the activation of 1-MIM-OH using genetically modified mouse strains. We orally treated male wild-type (wt) and Sult1a1-knockout (ko) mice, as well as corresponding lines carrying the human SULT1A1-SULT1A2 gene cluster (tg and ko-tg), with 1-MIM-OH. N2-(1-MIM)-dG and N6-(1-MIM)-dA adducts in DNA were analysed using isotope-dilution UPLC-MS/MS. In the liver, caecum and colon adducts were abundant in mice expressing mouse and/or human SULT1A1, but were drastically reduced in ko mice (1.2-10.6% of wt). In the kidney and small intestine, adduct levels were high in mice carrying human SULT1A1-SULT1A2 genes, but low in wt and ko mice (1.8-6.3% of tg-ko). In bone marrow, adduct levels were very low, independently of the SULT1A1 status. In the stomach, they were high in all four lines. Thus, adduct formation was primarily controlled by SULT1A1 in five out of seven tissues studied, with a strong impact of differences in the tissue distribution of mouse and human SULT1A1. The behaviour of 1-MIM-OH in these models (levels and tissue distribution of DNA adducts; impact of SULTs) was similar to that of methyleugenol, classified as "probably carcinogenic to humans". Thus, there is a need to test 1-MIM-OH for carcinogenicity in animal models and to study its adduct formation in humans consuming brassicaceous foodstuff.

Medicinal Plant-rich Diet: A Potential Therapeutic Role in Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer is estimated to become the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Since most of the available therapies affect vital organs such as heart and liver, herbal remedies as a substitute therapy have been reported in several evidence-based studies.

OBJECTIVE

Medicinal plants exhibit a diverse range of bioactive elements known for their medicinal properties, such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. Phytochemicals present in medicinal plants significantly trigger different signaling pathways, contributing to their therapeutic activities. This review covers a comprehensive summary of the therapeutic potential of an herbal diet in treating colorectal cancer and other ailments. Special attention will be given to exploring the interactions of medicinal plants with the microbiota and their associations with cancer pathways.

CONCLUSION

A medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds is a therapeutic option for colorectal cancer and potent cardioprotective and hepatoprotective agents. These bioactive compounds have demonstrated the ability to impede the growth of cancerous cells and trigger apoptosis. Our findings suggest that pomegranate, garlic, soybean, olive, green tea, papaya, and grapes are potential medicinal plants for combating cancer and related side effects. Bioactive compounds can modulate the gut microbiota's metabolism, and short-chain fatty acid production shows cardioprotective effects and reduces the risk of colorectal cancer. Hence, it can be stated that the interaction between a medicinal plant-rich diet and the gut microbiota plays a crucial role in preventing colorectal cancer and cardiac arrest.

High intake of cruciferous vegetables reduces the risk of gastrointestinal cancers: results from observational studies

The relationship between cruciferous vegetables (CV) and the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers has been extensively investigated. However, epidemiologic investigations have produced inconsistent results. This meta-analysis investigated the association between CV intake and the risk of GI cancers. Due to the heterogeneity, fixed- or random-effects models were used for the analyses. The final analysis included 81 articles covering 89 studies. In comparison to the lowest consumption categories, the highest consumption categories of CV were associated with a lower risk for all GI cancers [rate ratio (RR): 0.81, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.76-0.87]. Compared to a CV intake of 75 g/day, subjects with CV intake <75 g/day experienced a 7% reduction in risk (RR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.84-0.96) for each 50 g increase in consumption. A negative correlation was identified between CV intake and the risk of esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer (CRC), but not gallbladder cancer (RR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.38-1.27). High intake of broccoli and cabbage was associated with a decreased risk of gastric cancer (RR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.47-0.87) and gallbladder cancer (RR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.29-0.75). These results confirm the association between high intake of CV with a reduced risk of GI cancers.

Vegetarian diets and the risk of gastrointestinal cancers: a meta-analysis of observational studies

The systematic review aimed to assess the association between vegetarian diet and the risk of gastrointestinal tumorigenesis. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched from inception to August 2022 for observational studies on vegetarian diets and the risk of gastrointestinal tumorigenesis. The primary outcome was morbidity due to gastrointestinal cancer. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of included studies. Pooled effects were analyzed using a random-effects model. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (no. CRD42022310187). Eight original studies (seven cohorts and one case-control), involving 686 691 participants, were included. Meta-analysis showed a negative correlation between vegetarian diets and gastrointestinal tumorigenesis risk [relative risk (RR) equals 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) is (0.65-0.90)], compared with non-vegetarian diets. Subgroup analysis indicated that vegetarian diets were negatively correlated with the risks of gastric cancer [RR = 0.41, 95% CI (0.28-0.61)] and colorectal cancer [RR = 0.85, 95% CI (0.76-0.95)], but not with that of upper gastrointestinal cancer (excluding stomach) [RR = 0.93, 95% CI (0.61-1.42)]. Vegetarian diets were negatively correlated with the risk of gastrointestinal tumorigenesis in men [RR = 0.57, 95% CI (0.36-0.91)], but were uncorrelated in women [RR = 0.89, 95% CI (0.71-1.11)]. Vegetarian diets were negatively correlated with the risk of gastrointestinal tumorigenesis in North American [RR = 0.76, 95% CI (0.61-0.95)] and Asian populations [RR = 0.43, 95% CI (0.26-0.72)] and were uncorrelated in the European population [RR = 0.83, 95% CI (0.68-1.01)]. Adhering to vegetarian diets reduces the risk of gastrointestinal tumorigenesis. More data from well-conducted cohort and other studies are needed.

Targeting beta-catenin signaling for prevention of colorectal cancer - Nutraceutical, drug, and dietary options

Progressive up-regulation of β-catenin signaling is very common in the transformation of colorectal epithelium to colorectal cancer (CRC). Practical measures for opposing such signaling hence have potential for preventing or slowing such transformation. cAMP/PKA activity in colon epithelium, as stimulated by COX-2-generated prostaglandins and β2-adrenergic signaling, boosts β-catenin activity, whereas cGMP/PKG signaling has the opposite effect. Bacterial generation of short-chain fatty acids (as supported by unrefined high-carbohydrate diets, berberine, and probiotics), dietary calcium, daily aspirin, antioxidants opposing cox-2 induction, and nicotine avoidance, can suppress cAMP production in colonic epithelium, whereas cGMP can be boosted via linaclotides, PDE5 inhibitors such as sildenafil or icariin, and likely high-dose biotin. Selective activation of estrogen receptor-β by soy isoflavones, support of adequate vitamin D receptor activity with UV exposure or supplemental vitamin D, and inhibition of CK2 activity with flavanols such as quercetin, can also oppose β-catenin signaling in colorectal epithelium. Secondary bile acids, the colonic production of which can be diminished by low-fat diets and berberine, can up-regulate β-catenin activity by down-regulating farnesoid X receptor expression. Stimulation of PI3K/Akt via insulin, IGF-I, TLR4, and EGFR receptors boosts β-catenin levels via inhibition of glycogen synthase-3β; plant-based diets can down-regulate insulin and IGF-I levels, exercise training and leanness can keep insulin low, anthocyanins and their key metabolite ferulic acid have potential for opposing TLR4 signaling, and silibinin is a direct antagonist for EGFR. Partially hydrolyzed phytate can oppose growth factor-mediated down-regulation of β-catenin by inhibiting Akt activation. Multifactorial strategies for safely opposing β-catenin signaling can be complemented with measures that diminish colonic mutagenesis and DNA hypomethylation - such as avoidance of heme-rich meat and charred or processed meats, consumption of phase II-inductive foods and nutraceuticals (e.g., Crucifera), and assurance of adequate folate status.

Colorectal Cancer Chemoprevention: A Dream Coming True?

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the deadliest forms of cancer worldwide. CRC development occurs mainly through the adenoma-carcinoma sequence, which can last decades, giving the opportunity for primary prevention and early detection. CRC prevention involves different approaches, ranging from fecal occult blood testing and colonoscopy screening to chemoprevention. In this review, we discuss the main findings gathered in the field of CRC chemoprevention, focusing on different target populations and on various precancerous lesions that can be used as efficacy evaluation endpoints for chemoprevention. The ideal chemopreventive agent should be well tolerated and easy to administer, with low side effects. Moreover, it should be readily available at a low cost. These properties are crucial because these compounds are meant to be used for a long time in populations with different CRC risk profiles. Several agents have been investigated so far, some of which are currently used in clinical practice. However, further investigation is needed to devise a comprehensive and effective chemoprevention strategy for CRC.

Amelioration of the physio-biochemical responses to salinity stress and computing the primary germination index components in cauliflower on seed priming

The significant horticultural crop, cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) is vulnerable to the excessive salt concentration in the soil, which contributes to its scaled-down growth and productivity, among other indices. The current study examines the efficacy of hydropriming, halopriming, and osmopriming on the physio-biochemical attributes and tolerance to salinity (100 mM NaCl) in cauliflower under controlled conditions. The results showed that the salinity (100 mM NaCl) has significant deleterious impacts on cauliflower seed germination, seedling growth, and photosynthetic attributes, and provoked the production of reactive oxygen species. In contrast, different priming approaches proved beneficial in mitigating the negative effects of salinity and boosted the germination, vigor indices, seedling growth, and physio-biochemical attributes like photosynthetic pigments, protein, and proline content while suppressing oxidative damage and MDA content in cauliflower seedlings in treatment- and dose-dependent manner. PCA revealed 61% (PC1) and 15% (PC2) of the total variance with substantial positive relationships and high loading conditions on all germination attributes on PC1 with greater PC1 scores for PEG treatments showing the increased germination indices in PEG-treated seeds among all the priming treatments tested. All 13 distinct priming treatments tried clustered into three groups as per Ward's approach of systematic categorization, clustering the third group showing relatively poor germination performances. Most germination traits exhibited statistically significant associations at the p < 0.01 level. Overall, the results established the usefulness of the different priming approaches facilitating better germination, survival, and resistance against salinity in the cauliflower to be used further before sowing in the salt-affected agro-ecosystems.

Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Kale (Brassica oleracea L. Var. acephala DC.) and Wild Cabbage (Brassica incana Ten.) Polyphenolic Extracts

Brassicaceae are rich in healthy phytochemicals that have a positive impact on human health. The aim of this study was to analyze the phenolic compounds and antioxidant and anticancer potential of traditional Croatian kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC.) and wild cabbage (Brassica incana Ten.) extracts. The phenolic groups and antioxidant activity were determined by spectrophotometry, selected phenolic compounds (ferulic acid, sinapic acid, salicylic acid, kaempferol, and quercetin) were analyzed by LC-MS/MS, and anticancer potential was evaluated in vitro using HeLa cells. The extracts of both plant species are rich in phenolic compounds and showed significant antioxidant activity at similar levels. LC-MS/MS detected sinapic acid as the most abundant phenolic acid, followed by ferulic acid, while salicylic acid was present at lower concentrations. A comparative analysis showed that wild cabbage contained significantly more sinapic acid, while kale contained more kaempferol and quercetin. Both Brassica extracts at a concentration of 50 µg mL^-1 showed an antiproliferative effect on HeLa cells, while they did not affect the proliferation of normal human skin fibroblasts. Wild cabbage extract also showed an antiproliferative effect on HeLa cells at a lower applied concentration of 10 µg mL^-1 of extracts. The clonogenic analysis also revealed the inhibitory effect of the extracts on HeLa colony growth.

Glucosinolate Biosynthetic Genes of Cabbage: Genome-Wide Identification, Evolution, and Expression Analysis

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is a vegetable rich in glucosinolates (GSLs) that have proven health benefits. To gain insights into the synthesis of GSLs in cabbage, we systematically analyzed GSLs biosynthetic genes (GBGs) in the entire cabbage genome. In total, 193 cabbage GBGs were identified, which were homologous to 106 GBGs in Arabidopsis thaliana. Most GBGs in cabbage have undergone negative selection. Many homologous GBGs in cabbage and Chinese cabbage differed in expression patterns indicating the unique functions of these homologous GBGs. Spraying five exogenous hormones significantly altered expression levels of GBGs in cabbage. For example, MeJA significantly upregulated side chain extension genes BoIPMILSU1-1 and BoBCAT-3-1, and the expression of core structure construction genes BoCYP83A1 and BoST5C-1, while ETH significantly repressed the expression of side chain extension genes such as BoIPMILSU1-1, BoCYP79B2-1, and BoMAMI-1, and some transcription factors, namely BoMYB28-1, BoMYB34-1, BoMYB76-1, BoCYP79B2-1, and BoMAMI-1. Phylogenetically, the CYP83 family and CYP79B and CYP79F subfamilies may only be involved in GSL synthesis in cruciferous plants. Our unprecedented identification and analysis of GBGs in cabbage at the genome-wide level lays a foundation for the regulation of GSLs synthesis through gene editing and overexpression.

Interplay between Cruciferous Vegetables and the Gut Microbiome: A Multi-Omic Approach

Brassica vegetables contain a multitude of bioactive compounds that prevent and suppress cancer and promote health. Evidence suggests that the gut microbiome may be essential in the production of these compounds; however, the relationship between specific microbes and the abundance of metabolites produced during cruciferous vegetable digestion are still unclear. We utilized an ex vivo human fecal incubation model with in vitro digested broccoli sprouts (Broc), Brussels sprouts (Brus), a combination of the two vegetables (Combo), or a negative control (NC) to investigate microbial metabolites of cruciferous vegetables. We conducted untargeted metabolomics on the fecal cultures by LC-MS/MS and completed 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We identified 72 microbial genera in our samples, 29 of which were significantly differentially abundant between treatment groups. A total of 4499 metabolomic features were found to be significantly different between treatment groups (q ≤ 0.05, fold change > 2). Chemical enrichment analysis revealed 45 classes of compounds to be significantly enriched by brassicas, including long-chain fatty acids, coumaric acids, and peptides. Multi-block PLS-DA and a filtering method were used to identify microbe−metabolite interactions. We identified 373 metabolites from brassica, which had strong relationships with microbes, such as members of the family Clostridiaceae and genus Intestinibacter, that may be microbially derived.

Therapeutic Potential of Plant Oxylipins

For immobile plants, the main means of protection against adverse environmental factors is the biosynthesis of various secondary (specialized) metabolites. The extreme diversity and high biological activity of these metabolites determine the researchers' interest in plants as a source of therapeutic agents. Oxylipins, oxygenated derivatives of fatty acids, are particularly promising in this regard. Plant oxylipins, which are characterized by a diversity of chemical structures, can exert protective and therapeutic properties in animal cells. While the therapeutic potential of some classes of plant oxylipins, such as jasmonates and acetylenic oxylipins, has been analyzed thoroughly, other oxylipins are barely studied in this regard. Here, we present a comprehensive overview of the therapeutic potential of all major classes of plant oxylipins, including derivatives of acetylenic fatty acids, jasmonates, six- and nine-carbon aldehydes, oxy-, epoxy-, and hydroxy-derivatives of fatty acids, as well as spontaneously formed phytoprostanes and phytofurans. The presented analysis will provide an impetus for further research investigating the beneficial properties of these secondary metabolites and bringing them closer to practical applications.

Drug-food Interactions in the Era of Molecular Big Data, Machine Intelligence, and Personalized Health

The drug-food interaction brings forth changes in the clinical effects of drugs. While favourable interactions bring positive clinical outcomes, unfavourable interactions may lead to toxicity. This article reviews the impact of food intake on drug-food interactions, the clinical effects of drugs, and the effect of drug-food in correlation with diet and precision medicine. Emerging areas in drug-food interactions are the food-genome interface (nutrigenomics) and nutrigenetics. Understanding the molecular basis of food ingredients, including genomic sequencing and pharmacological implications of food molecules, helps to reduce the impact of drug-food interactions. Various strategies are being leveraged to alleviate drug-food interactions; measures including patient engagement, digital health, approaches involving machine intelligence, and big data are a few of them. Furthermore, delineating the molecular communications across dietmicrobiome- drug-food-drug interactions in a pharmacomicrobiome framework may also play a vital role in personalized nutrition. Determining nutrient-gene interactions aids in making nutrition deeply personalized and helps mitigate unwanted drug-food interactions, chronic diseases, and adverse events from their onset. Translational bioinformatics approaches could play an essential role in the next generation of drug-food interaction research. In this landscape review, we discuss important tools, databases, and approaches along with key challenges and opportunities in drug-food interaction and its immediate impact on precision medicine.

A prospective cohort study of starchy and non-starchy vegetable intake and mortality risk

Whether starchy and non-starchy vegetables have distinct impacts on health remains unknown. We prospectively investigated the intake of starchy and non-starchy vegetables in relation to mortality risk in a nationwide cohort. Diet was assessed using 24-h dietary recalls. Deaths were identified via the record linkage to the National Death Index. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % CI were calculated using Cox regression. During a median follow-up of 7·8 years, 4904 deaths were documented among 40 074 participants aged 18 years or older. Compared to those with no consumption, participants with daily consumption of ≥ 1 serving of non-starchy vegetables had a lower risk of mortality (HR = 0·76, 95 % CI 0·66, 0·88, P_trend = 0·001). Dark-green and deep-yellow vegetables (HR = 0·79, 95 % CI 0·63, 0·99, P_trend = 0·023) and other non-starchy vegetables (HR = 0·80, 95 % CI 0·70, 0·92, P_trend = 0·004) showed similar results. Total starchy vegetable intake exhibited a marginally weak inverse association with mortality risk (HR = 0·89, 95 % CI 0·80, 1·00, P_trend = 0·048), while potatoes showed a null association (HR = 0·93, 95 % CI 0·82, 1·06, P_trend = 0·186). Restricted cubic spline analysis suggested a linear dose-response relationship between vegetable intake and death risk, with a plateau at over 300 and 200 g/d for total and non-starchy vegetables, respectively. Compared with starchy vegetables, non-starchy vegetables might be more beneficial to health, although both showed a protective association with mortality risk. The risk reduction in mortality plateaued at approximately 200 g/d for non-starchy vegetables and 300 g/d for total vegetables.

Relative evaluation of in-vitro antioxidant potential and phenolic constituents by HPLC-DAD of Brassica vegetables extracted in different solvents

Cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli are well-known vegetables from the Brassica family having functional effects on human health. This study was carried out to identify different antioxidant properties and to quantify phenolic compounds by HPLC-DAD in different extracts (methanol, ethanol and water: acetic acid: acetone) of these vegetables. The results showed that, the methanolic dry extract of cabbage possessed the highest antioxidant activity (549 ± 7.30 μg/g) and IC₅₀ was 90 ± 2.52 μg/mL than others. Whereas the ethanolic dry extract of cauliflower had 348 ± 5.20 μg/g of flavonoid, which was the highest among all. The maximum levels of total tannin (414 ± 5.20 μg/g) and total phenolic content (465 ± 3.25 μg/g) was found in broccoli dry extract. Several polyphenolic compounds were identified in different extracts of the vegetables and they were Cauliflower (8) > Cabbage (10) > Broccoli (9) in total. Therefore, the use of total vegetables rather than extracts in the food industry would be more appropriate to get greater health benefit.

Cruciferous Vegetable Intake and Bulky DNA Damage within Non-Smokers and Former Smokers in the Gen-Air Study (EPIC Cohort)

Epidemiologic studies have indicated that cruciferous vegetables can influence the cancer risk; therefore, we examined with a cross-sectional approach the correlation between the frequent consumption of the total cruciferous vegetables and the formation of bulky DNA damage, a biomarker of carcinogen exposure and cancer risk, in the Gen-Air study within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. DNA damage measurements were performed in the peripheral blood of 696 of those apparently healthy without cancer controls, including 379 never-smokers and 317 former smokers from seven European countries by the 32P-postlabeling assay. In the Gen-Air controls, the median intake of cruciferous vegetables was 6.16 (IQR 1.16−13.66) g/day, ranging from 0.37 (IQR 0−6.00) g/day in Spain to 11.34 (IQR 6.02−16.07) g/day in the UK. Based on this information, participants were grouped into: (a) high consumers (>20 g/day), (b) medium consumers (3−20 g/day) and (c) low consumers (<3.0 g/day). Overall, low cruciferous vegetable intake was correlated with a greater frequency of bulky DNA lesions, including benzo(a)pyrene, lactone and quinone-adducts and bulky oxidative lesions, in the adjusted models. Conversely, a high versus low intake of cruciferous vegetables was associated with a reduction in DNA damage (up to a 23% change, p = 0.032); this was particularly evident in former smokers (up to a 40% change, p = 0.008). The Generalized Linear Regression models indicated an overall Mean Ratio between the high and the low consumers of 0.78 (95% confidence interval, 0.64−0.97). The current study suggests that a higher intake of cruciferous vegetables is associated with a lower level of bulky DNA adducts and supports the potential for cancer prevention strategies through dietary habit changes aimed at increasing the consumption of cruciferous vegetables.

Effects of pectins on colorectal cancer: targeting hallmarks as a support for future clinical trials

The intake of dietary fibers has been associated with a reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer.

Pre-diagnosis Cruciferous Vegetables and Isothiocyanates Intake and Ovarian Cancer Survival: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: The associations of the consumption of cruciferous vegetables (CVs) and their bioactive components, isothiocyanates (ITCs), with ovarian cancer (OC) mortality have been unclear, owing to limited studies and inconsistent findings. To date, no studies have evaluated these associations among Chinese patients with OC. This study aims to provide more evidence indicating the relationships of pre-diagnosis CVs and ITC intake with OC survival.

Methods: We examined the associations of pre-diagnosis CV and ITC intake with OC mortality in a hospital-based cohort (n = 853) of Chinese patients with epithelial OC between 2015 and 2020. Pre-diagnosis dietary information was evaluated with a validated food frequency questionnaire. Deaths were ascertained until March 31, 2021 via medical records and active follow-up. The associations were examined with the Cox proportional hazards model, adjusted for potential confounders, and stratified by menopausal status, residual lesions, histological type, and body mass index (BMI).

Results: During a median follow-up of 37.2 months (interquartile: 24.7–50.2 months), we observed 130 deaths. The highest tertile of total CV intake was associated with better survival than the lowest tertile intake [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.33–0.98, p trend < 0.05]. In addition, higher intake of ITCs from CVs was associated with better survival (HR_T3VS.T1 = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.36–0.99, p trend = 0.06). Significant inverse associations were also observed for subgroup analyses stratified by menopausal status, residual lesions, histological type, and BMI, although not all associations showed statistical significance.

Conclusion: Increasing pre-diagnosis consumption of CVs and ITCs was strongly associated with better survival in patients with OC.

Cruciferous vegetable and isothiocyanate intake and multiple health outcomes

Isothiocyanates, bioactive phytochemicals of cruciferous vegetables, have chemopreventative efficacy. To clarify evidence of associations between cruciferous vegetable and isothiocyanate intake and various health outcomes, we conducted an umbrella review of meta-analyses and systematic reviews in humans. A total of 413 articles were identified, and 57 articles with 24 health outcomes were included. Consumption of cruciferous vegetables was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality, cancers, and depression. Dose-response analyses revealed that a per 100 g/d increment was associated with a 10% decrease in the risk of all-cause mortality. Warfarin resistance caused by vitamin K-rich broccoli was reported. Caution was warranted for those allergies/hypersensitivities to the Brassica genus. The intake of cruciferous vegetables is generally safe and beneficial in humans. However the quality of the majority (68%) of evidence was low.

The Role of Diet and Lifestyle in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review

Simple Summary

This systematic review sifted through the exogenous dietary and lifestyle risk factors associated with early-onset colorectal cancer, going through the putative involvement of these exogenous risk factors in epigenetic and microbiota modifications. Given the burden of early-onset colorectal cancer and its globally increasing trend with scant literature on its pathogenesis, we believe it would be of benefit to highlight the importance of further systematic and large studies. Indeed, dietary and lifestyle modification could complement colorectal screening for early-onset colorectal cancer prevention.

Abstract

The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer, defined as colorectal cancer occurring in young adults under the age of 50, is increasing globally. Knowledge of the etiological factors in young adults is far from complete. Questionable eoCRCs’ exogenous factors are represented by processed meat, sugary drinks, alcohol, Western dietary pattern, overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking, though with heterogeneous results. Therefore, we performed a systematic review to summarize the current evidence on the role of diet and lifestyle as eoCRC risk factors. We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE up to July 2021, for original studies evaluating diet, alcohol, physical activity, BMI, and smoking in eoCRC and included twenty-six studies. Indeed, the exogenous factors could represent modifiable key factors, whose recognition could establish areas of future interventions through public health strategies for eoCRC primary prevention. Additionally, we discussed the role of additional non-modifiable risk factors, and of epigenetic regulation and microbiota as mediators of the eoCRC triggered by diet and lifestyle.

Association Between the Sulfur Microbial Diet and Risk of Colorectal Cancer

IMPORTANCE

Sulfur-metabolizing bacteria that reduce dietary sulfur to hydrogen sulfide have been associated with colorectal cancer (CRC). However, there are limited studies investigating the association between diet and sulfur-metabolizing bacteria in the development of CRC.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a dietary score that correlates with gut sulfur-metabolizing bacteria and to examine its association with CRC risk.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This prospective cohort study included data from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (1986-2014), Nurses' Health Study (1984-2016), and Nurses' Health Study II (1991-2017). Participants were US male health professionals and female registered nurses who were free of inflammatory bowel disease and cancer at baseline, with a subsample of participants who provided stool samples from 2012 to 2014. Statistical analysis was conducted from September 1, 2020, to June 1, 2021.

EXPOSURE

A dietary pattern, assessed by a food-frequency questionnaire, that most correlated with 43 sulfur-metabolizing bacteria identified through taxonomic and functional profiling of gut metagenome data.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Incident CRC.

RESULTS

Among 214 797 participants comprising 46 550 men (mean [SD] age at baseline, 54.3 [9.7] years) and 168 247 women (mean [SD] age at baseline, 43.0 [9.2] years), 3217 incident cases of CRC (1.5%) were documented during 5 278 048 person-years of follow-up. The sulfur microbial diet, developed in a subsample of 307 men (mean [SD] age, 70.5 [4.3] years) and 212 women (mean [SD] age, 61.0 [3.8] years), was characterized by high intakes of low-calorie beverages, french fries, red meats, and processed meats and low intakes of fruits, yellow vegetables, whole grains, legumes, leafy vegetables, and cruciferous vegetables. After adjustment for other risk factors, greater adherence to the sulfur microbial diet was associated with an increased risk of CRC, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.27 (95% CI, 1.12-1.44) comparing the highest vs the lowest quintile of the diet score (linear trend of diet score quintiles; P < .001 for trend). When assessed by anatomical subsites, greater adherence to the sulfur microbial diet was positively associated with distal CRC (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.05-1.50; P = .02 for trend) but not proximal colon cancer (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.93-1.39; P = .19 for trend).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Adherence to the sulfur microbial diet was associated with an increased risk of CRC, suggesting a potential mediating role of sulfur-metabolizing bacteria in the associaton between diet and CRC. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine the underlying mechanisms.

An Overview of Registered Clinical Trials on Glucosinolates and Human Health: The Current Situation

Epidemiological studies suggest a potential role of glucosinolates (GSLs) and isothiocyanates on human health. However, evidence from intervention studies, due to heterogeneity in features of study design, duration, participants, food or food components administered, and outcomes analyzed, is still insufficient. The current review aims to provide an overview of the trials on GSLs and GSL-rich foods registered over the last 20 years with the intention to summarize the main topics and results, but also the existing gaps that still need to be covered. Studies were collected by using ClinicalTrials.gov and the International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) registry. A total of 87 registered trials were identified with which most of them were performed by using extracts or pure compounds (n = 60) while few were conducted with GSL-rich foods (n = 27). In detail, sulforaphane was the most investigated compound, while broccoli was the most frequent food tested in the trials. The majority of the studies assessed the health effects of GSLs focusing on outcomes related to cancer and cognitive function, even if the current findings are not univocal. Emerging topics also included the study of GSLs and gut microbiota interaction and impact on skin health. Further attention was also drawn to the bioavailability of GSLs and/or derivatives from foods, extracts, and single compounds by also considering the contribution of the different genetic polymorphisms. In conclusion, although considerable efforts have been made to study GSLs and GSL-rich foods, further studies are necessary to provide evidence-based research and to corroborate the findings obtained. The interindividual response due to genetic polymorphisms should be further investigated in order to explore the contribution to the overall beneficial effect.

Metabolic Fate of Dietary Glucosinolates and Their Metabolites: A Role for the Microbiome

Robust evidence shows that phytochemicals from cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, are associated with numerous health benefits. The anti-cancer properties of these foods are attributed to bioactive isothiocyanates (ITCs) and indoles, phytochemicals generated from biological precursor compounds called glucosinolates. ITCs, and particularly sulforaphane (SFN), are of intense interest as they block the initiation, and suppress the progression of cancer, through genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. The efficacy of these compounds is well-demonstrated in cell culture and animal models, however, high levels of inter-individual variation in absorption and excretion of ITCs is a significant barrier to the use of dietary glucosinolates to prevent and treat disease. The source of inter-individual ITC variation has yet to be fully elucidated and the gut microbiome may play a key role. This review highlights evidence that the gut microbiome influences the metabolic fate and activity of ITCs. Human feeding trials have shown inter-individual variations in gut microbiome composition coincides with variations in ITC absorption and excretion, and some bacteria produce ITCs from glucosinolates. Additionally, consumption of cruciferous vegetables can alter the composition of the gut microbiome and shift the physiochemical environment of the gut lumen, influencing the production of phytochemicals. Microbiome and diet induced changes to ITC metabolism may lead to the decrease of cancer fighting phytochemicals such as SFN and increase the production of biologically inert ones like SFN-nitrile. We conclude by offering perspective on the use of novel “omics” technologies to elucidate the interplay of the gut microbiome and ITC formation.

Sulforaphane as a potential remedy against cancer: Comprehensive mechanistic review

Sulforaphane belongs to the active class of isothiocyanates capable of delivering various biological benefits for health promotion and disease prevention. This compound is considered vital to curtail numerous metabolic disorders. Various studies have proven its beneficial effects against cancer prevention and its possible utilization as a therapeutic agent in cancer treatment. Understanding the mechanistic pathways and possible interactions at cellular and subcellular levels is key to design and develop cancer therapeutics for humans. In this respect, a number of mechanisms such as modulation of carcinogen metabolism & phase II enzymatic activities, cell cycle arrest, activation of Nrf2, cytotoxic, proapoptotic and apoptotic pathways have been reported to be involved in cancer prevention. This article provides sufficient information by critical analysis to understand the mechanisms involved in cancer prevention attributed to sulforaphane. Furthermore, various clinical studies have also been included for design and development of novel therapies for cancer prevention and cure. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Diet and dietary components are potential tools to address various lifestyle-related disorders. Due to plenty of environmental and cellular toxicants, the chances of cancer prevalence are quite large which are worsen by adopting unhealthy lifestyles. Cancer can be treated with various therapies but those are acquiring side effects causing the patients to suffer the treatment regime. Nutraceuticals and functional foods provide safer options to prevent or delay the onset of cancer. In this regard, sulforaphane is a pivotal compound to be targeted as a potential agent for cancer treatment both in preventive and therapeutic regimes. This article provides sufficient evidence via discussing the underlying mechanisms of positive effects of sulforaphane to further the research for developing anticancer drugs that will help assuage this lethal morbidity.

Phytochemically rich dietary components and the risk of colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

BACKGROUND

Personalized nutrition and protective diets and lifestyles represent a key cancer research priority. The association between consumption of specific dietary components and colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence has been evaluated by a number of population-based studies, which have identified certain food items as having protective potential, though the findings have been inconsistent. Herein we present a systematic review and meta-analysis on the potential protective role of five common phytochemically rich dietary components (nuts, cruciferous vegetables, citrus fruits, garlic and tomatoes) in reducing CRC risk.

AIM

To investigate the independent impact of increased intake of specific dietary constituents on CRC risk in the general population.

METHODS

Medline and Embase were systematically searched, from time of database inception to January 31, 2020, for observational studies reporting CRC incidence relative to intake of one or more of nuts, cruciferous vegetables, citrus fruits, garlic and/or tomatoes in the general population. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers and analyzed in accordance with the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) reporting guidelines and according to predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Effect sizes of studies were pooled using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Forty-six studies were identified. CRC risk was significantly reduced in patients with higher vs lower consumption of cruciferous vegetables [odds ratio (OR) = 0.90; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.85-0.95; P < 0.005], citrus fruits (OR = 0.90; 95%CI: 0.84-0.96; P < 0.005), garlic (OR = 0.83; 95%CI: 0.76-0.91; P < 0.005) and tomatoes (OR = 0.89; 95%CI: 0.84-0.95; P < 0.005). Subgroup analysis showed that this association sustained when looking at case-control studies alone, for all of these four food items, but no significant difference was found in analysis of cohort studies alone. Nut consumption exhibited a similar trend, but overall results were not significant (OR = 0.72; 95%CI: 0.50-1.03; P < 0.07; I² = 90.70%). Putative anticarcinogenic mechanisms are proposed using gene-set enrichment analysis of gene/protein perturbations caused by active compounds within each food item.

CONCLUSION

Increased cruciferous vegetable, garlic, citrus fruit and tomato consumption are all inversely associated with CRC risk. These findings highlight the potential for developing precision nutrition strategies for CRC prevention.

Predicting anticancer hyperfoods with graph convolutional networks

Background

Recent efforts in the field of nutritional science have allowed the discovery of disease-beating molecules within foods based on the commonality of bioactive food molecules to FDA-approved drugs. The pioneering work in this field used an unsupervised network propagation algorithm to learn the systemic-wide effect on the human interactome of 1962 FDA-approved drugs and a supervised algorithm to predict anticancer therapeutics using the learned representations. Then, a set of bioactive molecules within foods was fed into the model, which predicted molecules with cancer-beating potential.The employed methodology consisted of disjoint unsupervised feature generation and classification tasks, which can result in sub-optimal learned drug representations with respect to the classification task. Additionally, due to the disjoint nature of the tasks, the employed approach proved cumbersome to optimize, requiring testing of thousands of hyperparameter combinations and significant computational resources.To overcome the technical limitations highlighted above, we represent each drug as a graph (human interactome) with its targets as binary node features on the graph and formulate the problem as a graph classification task. To solve this task, inspired by the success of graph neural networks in graph classification problems, we use an end-to-end graph neural network model operating directly on the graphs, which learns drug representations to optimize model performance in the prediction of anticancer therapeutics.

Results

The proposed model outperforms the baseline approach in the anticancer therapeutic prediction task, achieving an F1 score of 67.99%±2.52% and an AUPR of 73.91%±3.49%. It is also shown that the model is able to capture knowledge of biological pathways to predict anticancer molecules based on the molecules’ effects on cancer-related pathways.

Conclusions

We introduce an end-to-end graph convolutional model to predict cancer-beating molecules within food. The introduced model outperforms the existing baseline approach, and shows interpretability, paving the way to the future of a personalized nutritional science approach allowing the development of nutrition strategies for cancer prevention and/or therapeutics.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at (10.1186/s40246-021-00333-4).

Cruciferous vegetable consumption and pancreatic cancer: A case-control study

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic cancer is a deadly malignancy with limited screening and few modifiable risk factors. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between a modifiable lifestyle behavior, cruciferous vegetable consumption, and pancreatic cancer, both overall and by subgroups based on non-modifiable, established risk factors.

METHODS

We conducted a hospital-based, case-control study utilizing data from the Patient Epidemiology Data System (1982-1998) at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (Buffalo, NY) which included 183 pancreatic cancer patients and 732 cancer-free controls. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire including a 52-item food frequency questionnaire and other epidemiologic data. Multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI), sex, smoking status, total meat, and family history of pancreatic cancer, was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the associations between cruciferous vegetable consumption and pancreatic cancer. Subgroup analyses were conducted by sex, smoking status, and BMI.

RESULTS

We observed inverse associations between cruciferous vegetable intake and pancreatic cancer, with a significant 40% lower odds of pancreatic cancer among subjects consuming >1.5 servings per week (SPW) of raw cruciferous vegetables compared to those consuming less than 0.5 SPW (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.39-0.93). Each additional SPW of total, raw, and cooked cruciferous vegetables was associated with a significant 7-15% lower odds of pancreatic cancer, with the strongest association seen in raw cruciferous vegetables (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.75-0.95). We observed inverse associations between raw cruciferous vegetable intake and pancreatic cancer among people who were overweight, former smokers, and males, ranging from 50% to 59% lower odds.

CONCLUSION

Consuming cruciferous vegetables, especially raw cruciferous vegetables, is a modifiable lifestyle behavior which may be inversely associated with pancreatic cancer, including among subgroups with other non- or not easily modifiable risk factors for this deadly malignancy.

The Roles of Cruciferae Glucosinolates in Disease and Pest Resistance

With the expansion of the area under Cruciferae vegetable cultivation, and an increase in the incidence of natural threats such as pests and diseases globally, Cruciferae vegetable losses caused by pathogens, insects, and pests are on the rise. As one of the key metabolites produced by Cruciferae vegetables, glucosinolate (GLS) is not only an indicator of their quality but also controls infestation by numerous fungi, bacteria, aphids, and worms. Today, the safe and pollution-free production of vegetables is advocated globally, and environmentally friendly pest and disease control strategies, such as biological control, to minimize the adverse impacts of pathogen and insect pest stress on Cruciferae vegetables, have attracted the attention of researchers. This review explores the mechanisms via which GLS acts as a defensive substance, participates in responses to biotic stress, and enhances plant tolerance to the various stress factors. According to the current research status, future research directions are also proposed.

Strong and Bitter Vegetables from Traditional Cultivars and Cropping Methods Improve the Health Status of Type 2 Diabetics: A Randomized Control Trial

Vegetables rich in bitter-tasting phytochemicals may exert enhanced beneficial effects against key factors associated with type two diabetes (T2D). This study investigates whether selected cultivars of bitter and strong-tasting (BST) Brassica and root vegetables exert greater health benefits on T2D patients compared to equivalent modern mild and sweet tasting (MST) vegetables. A 12-week randomized, controlled, parallel intervention study involved 92 T2D patients, who were allocated three different diets: (1) 500 g daily of bitter and strong-tasting (BST) vegetables; (2) 500 g daily of mild and sweet-tasting (MST) vegetables; (3) 120 g daily MST normal diet (control). Both vegetable diets contained root vegetables and cabbages selected based on sensory differences and content of phytochemicals. Prior to and after the study, all participants underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), 24 h blood pressure measurements, DEXA scans, and fasted blood samples. Both diets high in vegetables significantly reduced the participants' BMI, total body fat mass, and HbA1c levels compared to control, but in the BST group, significant differences were also found regarding incremental area under the curve glucose 240 min (OGTT) and fasting glucose levels. A high daily intake of root vegetables and cabbages showed significant health improvements in both vegetable groups. BST vegetables had the greatest impact on insulin sensitivity, body fat mass, and blood pressure compared to control; moreover, they further improved glycemic control compared to MST vegetables.

Health Promoting vs Anti-nutritive Aspects of Kohlrabi Sprouts, a Promising Candidate for Novel Functional Food

Kohlrabi sprouts are just gaining popularity as the new example of functional food. The study was focused on the influence of germination time and light conditions on glucosinolates, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and fatty acids content in kohlrabi sprouts, in comparison to the bulbs. The effect of kohlrabi products on SW480, HepG2 and BJ cells was also determined. The length of sprouting time and light availability significantly influenced the concentrations of the phenolic compounds. Significant differences in progoitrin concentrations were observed between the sprouts harvested in light and in the darkness, with significantly lower content for darkness conditions. Erucic acid was the dominant fatty acid found in sprouts (14.5-34.5%). Sprouts and bulbs were less toxic to normal than to cancer cells. The sprouts stimulated necrosis (56.4%) more than apoptosis (34.1%) in SW480 cells, while the latter effect was predominant for the bulbs. Both sprouts and bulbs caused rather necrosis (45.5 and 63.9%) than apoptosis (32 and 32.5%) in HepG2 cells.

Phytochemical characterization of turnip greens (Brassica rapa ssp. rapa): A systematic review

Objective

The Turnip (Brassica rapa L. ssp. rapa) is a leaf and root vegetable grown and consumed worldwide. The consumption of Turnip has been associated with beneficial effects on human health due to their phytochemicals that may control a variety of physiological functions, including antioxidant activity, enzyme regulation, and apoptotic control and the cell cycle. The current systematic review of the literature aims to evaluate both the profile and quantity of phytochemicals commonly found in Turnip greens and to provide perspectives for further investigation.

Methods

This review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Four bibliographic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web-of-Science and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched to identify published studies until April 8th, 2020 (date last searched) without data and language restriction. Studies were included if they used samples of Turnip greens (the leaves), and evaluated its phytochemical content. Two reviewers independently evaluated the titles and abstracts according to the selection criteria. For each potentially eligible study, two reviewers assessed the full-texts and independently extracted the data using a predesigned data extraction form.

Results

Based on the search strategy 5,077 potentially relevant citations were identified and full texts of 37 studies were evaluated, among which 18 studies were eligible to be included in the current review. The majority of included studies were focused on identification of glucosinolates and isothiocyanates (n = 14, 82%), four studies focused on organic acids, and five studies reported phenolic component profile in Turnip greens. Among included studies nine studies (50%) provided information on phytochemical’s content. We found 129 phytochemicals (19 glucosinolates, 33 glucosinolate-breakdown products, 10 organic acids and 59 polyphenolic compounds) reported in Turnip greens. Flavonoids were mainly present as quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin derivatives; while aliphatic forms were the predominant glucosinolate (gluconapin was the most common across five studies, followed by glucobrassicanapin). In general, the phytochemical content varied among the leaves, tops and Turnip roots.

Conclusions

Emerging evidence suggests the Turnip as a substantial source of diverse bioactive compounds. However, detailed investigation on the pure compounds derived from Turnip green, their bioavailability, transport and metabolism after consumption is further needed. Additional studies on their biological activity are crucial to develop dietary recommendations on the effective dosage and dietary recommendation of Turnip greens for nutrition and health.

Role of Diet in Colorectal Cancer Incidence: Umbrella Review of Meta-analyses of Prospective Observational Studies

Importance

Several meta-analyses have summarized evidence for the association between dietary factors and the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, to date, there has been little synthesis of the strength, precision, and quality of this evidence in aggregate.

Objective

To grade the evidence from published meta-analyses of prospective observational studies that assessed the association of dietary patterns, specific foods, food groups, beverages (including alcohol), macronutrients, and micronutrients with the incidence of CRC.

Data Sources

MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched from database inception to September 2019.

Evidence Review

Only meta-analyses of prospective observational studies with a cohort study design were eligible. Evidence of association was graded according to established criteria as follows: convincing, highly suggestive, suggestive, weak, or not significant.

Results

From 9954 publications, 222 full-text articles (2.2%) were evaluated for eligibility, and 45 meta-analyses (20.3%) that described 109 associations between dietary factors and CRC incidence were selected. Overall, 35 of the 109 associations (32.1%) were nominally statistically significant using random-effects meta-analysis models; 17 associations (15.6%) demonstrated large heterogeneity between studies (I2 > 50%), whereas small-study effects were found for 11 associations (10.1%). Excess significance bias was not detected for any association between diet and CRC. The primary analysis identified 5 (4.6%) convincing, 2 (1.8%) highly suggestive, 10 (9.2%) suggestive, and 18 (16.5%) weak associations between diet and CRC, while there was no evidence for 74 (67.9%) associations. There was convincing evidence of an association of intake of red meat (high vs low) and alcohol (≥4 drinks/d vs 0 or occasional drinks) with the incidence of CRC and an inverse association of higher vs lower intakes of dietary fiber, calcium, and yogurt with CRC risk. The evidence for convincing associations remained robust following sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions and Relevance

This umbrella review found convincing evidence of an association between lower CRC risk and higher intakes of dietary fiber, dietary calcium, and yogurt and lower intakes of alcohol and red meat. More research is needed on specific foods for which evidence remains suggestive, including other dairy products, whole grains, processed meat, and specific dietary patterns.

Effects of Supplementary Blue and UV-A LED Lights on Morphology and Phytochemicals of Brassicaceae Baby-Leaves

Brassicaceae baby-leaves are good source of functional phytochemicals. To investigate how Chinese kale and pak-choi baby-leaves in response to different wavebands of blue (430 nm and 465 nm) and UV-A (380 nm and 400 nm) LED, the plant growth, glucosinolates, antioxidants, and minerals were determined. Both agronomy traits and phytochemical contents were significantly affected. Blue and UV-A light played a predominant role in increasing the plant biomass and morphology, as well as the contents of antioxidant compounds (vitamin C, vitamin E, phenolics, and individual flavonols), the antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP), and the total glucosinolates accumulation. In particular, four light wavebands significantly decreased the content of progoitrin, while 400 nm UV-A light and 430 nm blue light were efficient in elevating the contents of sinigrin and glucobrassicin in Chinese kale. Meanwhile, 400 nm UV-A light was able to increase the contents of glucoraphanin, sinigrin, and glucobrassicin in pak-choi. From the global view of heatmap, blue lights were more efficient in increasing the yield and phytochemical levels of two baby-leaves.

Recent advances in clinical practice: colorectal cancer chemoprevention in the average-risk population

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common and lethal malignancies in Western countries. Its development is a multistep process that spans more than 15 years, thereby providing an opportunity for prevention and early detection. The high incidence and mortality rates emphasise the need for prevention and screening. Many countries have therefore introduced CRC screening programmes. It is expected, and preliminary evidence in some countries suggests, that this screening effort will decrease CRC-related mortality rates. CRC prevention involves a healthy lifestyle and chemoprevention-more specifically, oral chemoprevention that can interfere with progression from a normal colonic mucosa to adenocarcinoma. This preventive effect is important for individuals with a genetic predisposition, but also in the general population. The ideal chemopreventive agent, or combination of agents, remains unknown, especially when considering safety during long-term use. This review evaluates the evidence across 80 meta-analyses of interventional and observational studies of CRC prevention using medications, vitamins, supplements and dietary factors. This review suggests that the following factors are associated with a decreased incidence of CRC: aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, magnesium, folate, a high consumption of fruits and vegetables, fibre and dairy products. An increased incidence of CRC was observed with frequent alcohol or meat consumption. No evidence of a protective effect for tea, coffee, garlic, fish and soy products was found. The level of evidence is moderate for aspirin, β-carotene and selenium, but is low or very low for all other exposures or interventions.

Serum potassium levels and mortality of patients with acute myocardial infarction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

BACKGROUND

The evidence of current epidemiological studies investigating the association between serum potassium levels and mortality of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients is controversial and inadequate.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

Two researchers independently searched the PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science databases to identify observational studies published prior to 31 October 2017. Similarly, two researchers separately extracted data and any differences were resolved by discussion. Pooled relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed with an inverse variance-weighted random-effects model. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed with the I² statistic.

RESULTS

Seven cohort studies were included for analysis. Compared with the reference group (3.5 to <4.0 mEq/L), the pooled relative risks of mortality were 1.15 (95% CI = 1.00-1.32), 1.09 (95% CI = 0.97-1.24), 1.42 (95% CI = 1.19-1.70) and 1.85 (95% CI = 1.39-2.47) for AMI patients with a potassium level of<3.5, 4.0 to <4.5, 4.5 to <5.0, and ≥5.0 mEq/L, respectively. For admission and post-admission potassium, although J-shaped associations were also indicated, non-significant results were observed for AMI patients with potassium levels of <3.5 mEq/L when compared with the reference group. Notably, in subgroup analyses of study characteristics, stratified by study quality, geographic location, type of outcome, number of cases, type of AMI, and adjustment for potential confounders, the findings were broadly consistent across strata.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that both lower (<3.5 mEq/L) and higher (≥4.5 mEq/L) serum potassium levels are associated with an increased risk of mortality of patients with AMI.

Association between dietary intake and risk of ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

It is unclear how dietary intake influences the ovarian cancer. The present paper sets out to systematically review and meta-analyze research on dietary intake to identify cases having high- or low-risk ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Scopus, PubMed, and Wiley Online Libraries were searched up to the date November 24, 2019. Two reviewers were requested to independently extract study characteristics and to assess the bias and applicability risks with reference to the study inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses were performed to specify the relationship between dietary intake and the risk of ovarian cancer identifying 97 cohort studies.

RESULTS

No significant association was found between dietary intake and risk of ovarian cancer. The results of subgroup analyses indicated that green leafy vegetables (RR = 0.91, 95%, 0.85-0.98), allium vegetables (RR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.64-0.96), fiber (RR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.81-0.98), flavonoids (RR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.78-0.89) and green tea (RR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.49-0.76) intake could significantly reduce ovarian cancer risk. Total fat (RR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.18), saturated fat (RR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.01-1.22), saturated fatty acid (RR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.04-1.36), cholesterol (RR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.04-1.22) and retinol (RR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.00-1.30) intake could significantly increase ovarian cancer risk. In addition, acrylamide, nitrate, water disinfectants and polychlorinated biphenyls were significantly associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

CONCLUSION

These results could support recommendations to green leafy vegetables, allium vegetables, fiber, flavonoids and green tea intake for ovarian cancer prevention.

Sulforaphane-enriched extracts from glucoraphanin-rich broccoli exert antimicrobial activity against gut pathogens in vitro and innovative cooking methods increase in vivo intestinal delivery of sulforaphane

Purpose

Studies on broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) indicate beneficial effects against a range of chronic diseases, commonly attributed to their bioactive phytochemicals. Sulforaphane, the bioactive form of glucoraphanin, is formed by the action of the indigenous enzyme myrosinase. This study explored the role that digestion and cooking practices play in bioactivity and bioavailability, especially the rarely considered dose delivered to the colon.

Methods

The antimicrobial activity of sulforaphane extracts from raw, cooked broccoli and cooked broccoli plus mustard seeds (as a source myrosinase) was assessed. The persistence of broccoli phytochemicals in the upper gastrointestinal tract was analysed in the ileal fluid of 11 ileostomates fed, in a cross-over design, broccoli soup prepared with and without mustard seeds.

Results

The raw broccoli had no antimicrobial activity, except against Bacillus cereus, but cooked broccoli (with and without mustard seeds) showed considerable antimicrobial activity against various tested pathogens. The recovery of sulforaphane in ileal fluids post soup consumption was < 1% but the addition of mustard seeds increased colon-available sulforaphane sixfold. However, when sulforaphane was extracted from the ileal fluid with the highest sulforaphane content and tested against Escherichia coli K12, no inhibitory effects were observed. Analysis of glucosinolates composition in ileal fluids revealed noticeable inter-individual differences, with six “responding” participants showing increases in glucosinolates after broccoli soup consumption.

Conclusions

Sulforaphane-rich broccoli extracts caused potent antimicrobial effects in vitro, and the consumption of sulforaphane-enriched broccoli soup may inhibit bacterial growth in the stomach and upper small intestine, but not in the terminal ileum or the colon.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00394-020-02322-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

An examination between census tract unhealthy food availability and colorectal cancer incidence

BACKGROUND

Unhealthy food environments may be associated with higher risks of developing diet-related cancers, such as, colorectal cancer. We conducted an ecological analysis to evaluate the relationship between the local food environment and colorectal cancer incidence overall and separately for males and females.

METHODS

Data from the Texas Cancer Registry was utilized to geocode individuals aged 40 years and older diagnosed with colorectal cancer from 2005 to 2015 to their residential 2010 census tract. Total number of establishments classified as Limited Service Restaurants for each census tract was retrieved from the 2005 Business Patterns Survey by using a crosswalk to map zip codes to census tract. Census tract unhealthy food availability was calculated by dividing the estimated number of Limited Service Restaurant establishments in each census tract by the census tract population and divided into quartiles. Generalized estimating equations were used to assess the association between unhealthy food availability quartiles and colorectal cancer incidence.

RESULTS

Adjusting for the census tract level sociodemographic characteristics, the incidence of colorectal cancer was slightly higher in unhealthy food availability quartile 2 (Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) = 1.03, 95 % CI: 1.00-1.05), but not quartile 3 (IRR = 1.02, 95 % CI: 1.00-1.05), and quartile 4 (highest availability, IRR = 1.02, 95 % CI: 0.99-1.05) compared to census tracts with lowest unhealthy food availability.

CONCLUSION

Colorectal cancer incidence was not strongly associated with census tracts with higher unhealthy food availability. Future observational studies should be conducted to examine the influence of the built environment on colorectal cancer risk.

Relationship between legume consumption and metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

AIMS

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been increasing in recent years. Investigation of whether consumption of legumes as a part of healthy diet could reduce the odds of MetS has led to inconsistent conclusions. Here, we performed the first meta-analysis of observational studies to analyze the association between legume consumption and prevalence of MetS.

DATA SYNTHESIS

PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify observational studies up to June 1, 2019. We extracted data from the studies included and performed quality assessments. Summary odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Publication bias and subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also performed. We finally included four cross-sectional studies, two cohort studies, and one case-control study involving 56,028 participants. The summary OR revealed no statistically significant association between legume consumption and odds of MetS (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.76-1.12, I² = 73.5%). Subgroup analysis of study characteristics and adjustment for confounding along with sensitivity analyses revealed no statistically significant differences. No evidence of publication bias was detected.

CONCLUSION

Legume consumption is not associated with the odds of MetS. These findings require validation in well-designed cohort studies and randomized clinical trials with accurate measurement of legume intake and strict control of confounders.

REGISTRATION

This study was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (registration number: CRD42019131777).

Adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) dietary pattern reduces the risk of colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has become a major concern due to industrialization and dietary changes generated by it. Many of the components of the DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) diet are associated with the risk of CRC. However, the relationship between DASH dietary pattern and CRC has not been studied yet in a systematic review and meta-analysis. The present study was conducted to review the studies investigating the relationship between DASH diet and the risk of CRC.

METHODS

PubMed and Scopus search engines were searched to find relevant publications from inception up to September 2019. All the observational studies that addressed the association between DASH diet and CRC were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. All the steps including data base search, screening, and data extraction were carried out by two researchers, independently.

RESULTS

Eight studies included in this systematic review and 5 studies (out of 8 studies included in the systematic review) were included in the meta-analysis. Combining 12 effects sizes from 5 studies, a significant inverse association between adherence to the DASH diet and risk of CRC was found (RR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.74, 0.85). Based on the result of this study, individuals with greater adherence to DASH diet had 20% lower risk of CRC.

CONCLUSION

The current study demonstrates that the risk of CRC is negatively associated with the adherence to the DASH dietary pattern.

IMPACT OF CURRENT DIET AT THE RISK OF NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE (NAFLD)

The nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects approximately 20%-30% of general population and is even more prevalent among obese individuals. The risk factors mainly associated with NAFLD are diseases related to the metabolic syndrome, genetics and environment. In this review, we provide a literature compilation evaluating the evidence behind dietary components, including calories intake, fat, protein, fibers and carbohydrate, especially fructose which could be a trigger to development and progression of the NAFLD. In fact, it has been demonstrated that diet is an important factor for the development of NAFLD and its association is complex and extends beyond total energy intake.