Soy intake and risk of endocrine-related gynaecological cancer: a meta-analysis

Probiotic properties of Bacillus subtilis DG101 isolated from the traditional Japanese fermented food nattō

Spore-forming probiotic bacteria offer interesting properties as they have an intrinsic high stability, and when consumed, they are able to survive the adverse conditions encountered during the transit thorough the host gastrointestinal (GI) tract. A traditional healthy food, nattō, exists in Japan consisting of soy fermented by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus subtilis natto. The consumption of nattō is linked to many beneficial health effects, including the prevention of high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular-associated disease. We hypothesize that the bacterium B. subtilis natto plays a key role in the beneficial effects of nattō for humans. Here, we present the isolation of B. subtilis DG101 from nattō and its characterization as a novel spore-forming probiotic strain for human consumption. B. subtilis DG101 was non-hemolytic and showed high tolerance to lysozyme, low pH, bile salts, and a strong adherence ability to extracellular matrix proteins (i.e., fibronectin and collagen), demonstrating its potential application for competitive exclusion of pathogens. B. subtilis DG101 forms robust liquid and solid biofilms and expresses several extracellular enzymes with activity against food diet-associated macromolecules (i.e., proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides) that would be important to improve food diet digestion by the host. B. subtilis DG101 was able to grow in the presence of toxic metals (i.e., chromium, cadmium, and arsenic) and decreased their bioavailability, a feature that points to this probiotic as an interesting agent for bioremediation in cases of food and water poisoning with metals. In addition, B. subtilis DG101 was sensitive to antibiotics commonly used to treat infections in medical settings, and at the same time, it showed a potent antimicrobial effect against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. In mammalians (i.e., rats), B. subtilis DG101 colonized the GI tract, and improved the lipid and protein serum homeostasis of animals fed on the base of a normal- or a deficient-diet regime (dietary restriction). In the animal model for longevity studies, Caenorhabditis elegans, B. subtilis DG101 significantly increased the animal lifespan and prevented its age-related behavioral decay. Overall, these results demonstrate that B. subtilis DG101 is the key component of nattō with interesting probiotic properties to improve and protect human health.

The innate effects of plant secondary metabolites in preclusion of gynecologic cancers: Inflammatory response and therapeutic action

Gynecologic cancers can make up the bulk of cancers in both humans and animals. The stage of diagnosis and the type of tumor, its origin, and its spread are a few of the factors that influence how effectively a treatment modality works. Currently, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery are the major treatment options recommended for the eradication of malignancies. The use of several anti-carcinogenic drugs increases the chance of harmful side effects, and patients might not react to the treatments as expected. The significance of the relationship between inflammation and cancer has been underscored by recent research. As a result, it has been shown that a variety of phytochemicals with beneficial bioactive effects on inflammatory pathways have the potential to act as anti-carcinogenic medications for the treatment of gynecologic cancer. The current paper reviews the significance of inflammatory pathways in gynecologic malignancies and discusses the role of plants-derived secondary metabolites that are useful in the treatment of cancer.

The associations of soya intakes with non-communicable diseases: a scoping review of meta-analyses

This scoping review aimed to identify published meta-analyses of the associations of dietary soya intakes with cardiovascular, cancer and diabetes II diseases and the best relative risk estimates. A published novel assessment process combining the well-validated Cochrane Review measures, the AMSTAR 2 checklist and a published algorithm specifically designed for conducting a scoping review of similar meta-analyses was employed. This scoping review identified and evaluated twenty-eight meta-analysis reports, published between 2000 and 2021, on the associations of soya intakes with cardiovascular, cancer and diabetes II diseases. It identified eighteen significantly negatively associated risk–disease pairs for total soya intakes, four significantly negatively associated risk–disease pairs for unfermented soya intakes and four significantly negatively associated risk–disease pairs for fermented soya intakes when compared high against low intakes. The largest significant risk decrease found was gastric cancer mortalities with relative risk (RR) 0·49 (95 % CI: 0·35, 0·68); followed by colorectal cancer mortalities RR 0·59 (95 % CI: 0·41, 0·84); ovarian cancer RR 0·52 (95 % CI: 0·42, 0·66) and endocrine-related gynaecological cancer RR 0·61 (95 % CI: 0·53, 0·72). The fermented soya intake and gastric cancer risk–disease pair were identified to be significantly positively associated, RR 1·22 (95 % CI: 1·02, 1·44) when compared high against low intakes. Four significantly negatively associated risk–disease dose–responses were also identified. Being the products with lower greenhouse gas emission intensities, soya products could be the better dietary alternatives to animal products for reducing cardiovascular, cancer and diabetes II diseases and helping combat climate change.

Genistein suppresses the inflammation and GSK-3 pathway in an animal model of spontaneous ovarian cancer

Background/aim

Numerous studies show that cancer risk is reduced by consumption of soy-based foods containing genistein, but its effects on the glycogen synthase kinase-3 pathway (GSK-3) in ovarian cancer is unknown. Therefore, we tested the properties of genistein on inflammatory biomarkers and GSK-3 signaling pathways in the ovaries of old laying hens with ovarian cancer.

Materials and methods

A total of 300 laying hens were distributed into three groups as follows: group 1, animals fed a standard diet (comprising 22.39 mg of genistein/kg of diet); groups 2 and 3, animals fed a standard diet reconstituted with supplementation of 400 mg or 800 mg of genistein/kg of diet, respectively.

Results

Genistein modulated the inflammatory biomarkers by decreasing serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) compared with control (p < 0.001). Moreover, it upregulated insulin receptor substrate-1 (p-IRS-1) and protein kinase B (p-AKT), but downregulated GSK-3α and β after treatment. It acts in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusion

Genistein exhibited an anticancer effect by reducing proinflammatory biomarkers levels and inhibiting GSK-3 expression in the ovaries of old laying hens. It is a potential candidate in the chemoprevention and/or treatment of ovarian cancer.

Pleiotropic Effects of Isoflavones in Inflammation and Chronic Degenerative Diseases

Isoflavones are phytoestrogens of plant origin, mostly found in the members of the Fabaceae family, that exert beneficial effects in various degenerative disorders. Having high similarity to 17-β-estradiol, isoflavones can bind estrogen receptors, scavenge reactive oxygen species, activate various cellular signal transduction pathways and modulate growth and transcription factors, activities of enzymes, cytokines, and genes regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis. Due to their pleiotropic activities isoflavones might be considered as a natural alternative for the treatment of estrogen decrease-related conditions during menopause. This review will focus on the effects of isoflavones on inflammation and chronic degenerative diseases including cancer, metabolic, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and adverse postmenopausal symptoms.

The Basics of Nutrition: A Primary Rehabilitation Intervention

Nutrition, the process by which a body nourishes itself through the transformation of food into energy and body tissues, is the most important factor in health maintenance, response to injury or illness, short-term and long-term rehabilitation, and longevity. Most rehabilitation providers and the individuals they treat have limited training and knowledge on even the basics of nutrition. An appropriate diet for individuals who are either in a health maintenance or an active program of rehabilitation includes 1500 to 2500 calories per day delivered via a balanced range of foodstuffs, preferably in a whole-food, plant-based manner.

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.

Understanding the Composition, Biosynthesis, Accumulation and Transport of Flavonoids in Crops for the Promotion of Crops as Healthy Sources of Flavonoids for Human Consumption

Flavonoids are a class of polyphenolic compounds that naturally occur in plants. Sub-groups of flavonoids include flavone, flavonol, flavanone, flavanonol, anthocyanidin, flavanol and isoflavone. The various modifications on flavonoid molecules further increase the diversity of flavonoids. Certain crops are famous for being enriched in specific flavonoids. For example, anthocyanins, which give rise to a purplish color, are the characteristic compounds in berries; flavanols are enriched in teas; and isoflavones are uniquely found in several legumes. It is widely accepted that the antioxidative properties of flavonoids are beneficial for human health. In this review, we summarize the classification of the different sub-groups of flavonoids based on their molecular structures. The health benefits of flavonoids are addressed from the perspective of their molecular structures. The flavonoid biosynthesis pathways are compared among different crops to highlight the mechanisms that lead to the differential accumulation of different sub-groups of flavonoids. In addition, the mechanisms and genes involved in the transport and accumulation of flavonoids in crops are discussed. We hope the understanding of flavonoid accumulation in crops will guide the proper balance in their consumption to improve human health.

Soy and Isoflavone Consumption and Multiple Health Outcomes: Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Observational Studies and Randomized Trials in Humans

SCOPE

To assess the existing evidence of associations between consumption of soy and isoflavone and multiple health outcomes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This is an umbrella review of meta-analyses and systematic reviews of randomized trials and observational studies in humans. 114 Meta-analyses and systematic reviews are identified with 43 unique outcomes. Soy and isoflavone consumption seems more beneficial than harmful for a series of health outcomes. Beneficial associations are identified for cancers, cardiovascular disease, gynecological, metabolic, musculoskeletal, endocrine, neurological, and renal outcomes, particularly in perimenopausal women. Harmful association is only found for gastric cancer (RR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02-1.36) for high intake of miso soup (1-5 cups per day) in male.

CONCLUSION

Generally, soy and isoflavone consumption is more beneficial than harmful. The results herein support promoting soy intake as part of a healthy diet. Randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm this finding.

Impact of soy consumption on human health: integrative review

Abstract Soy consumption is a millenary habit of populations of the eastern world and has recently increased in the western world. The risks and benefits of this practice have been extensively studied, with a current fundamental need of integration of available information. The aim of this study was to carry out an integrative review on this topic, in order to consolidate the available information. Based on the main question: “What is the impact of soy consumption on human health?”, were reviewed publications classified as original articles and reviews published from 1998 to 2020 in the databases Scopus, PubMed, SciELO, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. A total of 97 studies were selected. In the present review were described the general impact of soy on human health and its protein quality, the effects of early exposure using soy formulas, and the effects of soy consumption on breast cancer, endometrial and ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, cardiovascular disease, glucose metabolism and type 2 diabetes, obesity, reproductive health, menopause, female and male osteoporosis, microbiota, immunity and immunomodulation, thyroid function, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and renal function.

Incidence of intraepithelial fallopian tube neoplasias in mexican women over 40 years of age that underwent elective hysterectomy

AIMS

The incidence of intraepithelial neoplasia in the fallopian tubes of women over 40 years of age who had undergone elective hysterectomy was assessed at the Aguascalientes Women's Hospital.

METHODS

An observational, prospective, descriptive study was carried out at the Aguascalientes Women's Hospital on female patients over 40 years of age who underwent elective hysterectomy between July and October 2017. In these 4 months, 85 patients underwent elective hysterectomy.

RESULTS

In this study, 85 patients who received a hysterectomy for non-oncological reasons were analyzed. Salpinx alterations compatible with intraepithelial neoplasia in the Fallopian tubes were found in 2.4% of the patients studied.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of intraepithelial neoplasia in the fallopian tubes of high-risk patients at the Aguascalientes Women's Hospital is 2.4%. Prophylactic salpingectomy is a simple procedure and has the potential to decrease the risk of high-grade ovarian cancer. In premenopausal patients, total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy should be the procedure most often performed.

Genistein Prevents Development of Spontaneous Ovarian Cancer and Inhibits Tumor Growth in Hen Model

Genistein, the major isoflavone in soybean, has been reported to exert anticancer effects on various types of cancer including ovarian cancer; however, its chemopreventive effects and mechanisms of action in ovarian cancer have not been fully elucidated in spontaneously developing ovarian cancer models. In this study, we demonstrated the preventive effects and mechanisms of genistein in the laying hen model that develops spontaneous ovarian cancer at high incidence rates. Laying hens were randomized to three groups: control (3.01 mg/hen, n = 100), low (52.48 mg/hen n = 100), and high genistein supplementation (106.26 mg/hen/day; per group). At the end of 78 weeks, hens were euthanized and ovarian tumors were collected and analyzed. We observed that genistein supplementation significantly reduced the ovarian tumor incidence (P = 0.002), as well as the number and size of the tumors (P = 0.0001). Molecular analysis of the ovarian tumors revealed that genistein downregulated serum malondialdehyde, a marker for oxidative stress and the expression of NFκB and Bcl-2, whereas it upregulated Nrf2, HO-1, and Bax expression at protein level in ovarian tissues. Moreover, genistein intake decreased the activity of mTOR pathway as evidenced by reduced phosphorylation of mTOR, p70S6K1, and 4E-BP1. Taken together, our findings strongly support the potential of genistein in the chemoprevention of ovarian cancer and highlight the effects of the genistein on the molecular pathways involved in ovarian tumorigenesis.

Effect of Replacing Cocoa Powder by Carob Powder in the Muffins on Sensory and Physicochemical Properties

The increasing demand for cocoa and search for ingredients rich in bioactive compounds encouraged us to investigate the possibility of replacing it by carob powder in the muffins containing soy beans, sesame oil and flaxseeds. There was 5% addition of carob or cocoa powder to the individual doughs. The muffins with the addition of carob were characterized by improved antiradical activity (by 36% - 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) method, by 83% - 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method), higher content of genistein (18%) and total phytosterols (17%) in the dry mass. The color differences in the carob muffins crusts were not perceptible by consumers (ΔE = 0.70 for crust, ΔE = 5.6 for crumb) and their taste was found to be less bitter and sweeter than the taste of cocoa muffins. Moreover, the addition of carob powder as well as cocoa powder resulted in good sensory quality. The high content of phytosterols, genistein and improved antiradical properties proved carob to be a source of bioactive compounds. The results show that carob powder may be used as valuable alternative muffin ingredient to cocoa.

Association between Dietary Isoflavones in Soy and Legumes and Endometrial Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Epidemiologic studies have reported conflicting findings between soy- and legume-derived dietary isoflavones and risk of endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present meta-analysis was to quantitatively investigate the association between daily intake of soy- and legume-derived isoflavones and risk of endometrial cancer.

DESIGN

A broad search was conducted in the following electronic databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, the China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, and the Chinese Biomedical Database based on combinations of the key words endometrial cancer, isoflavone, soy, and legume for epidemiologic studies that focused on relationships between dietary isoflavones and endometrial cancer risk. A fixed-effect or random-effect model was used to pool study-specific risk estimates.

RESULTS

A total of 13 epidemiologic studies were included in the present meta-analysis, consisting of three prospective cohort studies and 10 population-based case-control studies. The final results indicated that higher dietary isoflavone levels from soy products and legumes were associated with a reduced risk of endometrial cancer (odds ratio [OR] 0.81, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.89). Low heterogeneous bias was observed (I2=11.7%; P=0.327). Subgroup analyses were conducted based on study design, source of dietary isoflavones, and study region. When restricted to study design, dietary isoflavones from soy and legumes played a role in prevention of endometrial cancer in case-control studies (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.90). However, there did not appear to be an association between dietary isoflavones and endometrial cancer in cohort studies (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.00). Significant associations were found between dietary isoflavones from soy products (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.92) and legumes (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.96) and endometrial cancer. Dietary isoflavones were associated with reduced incidence of endometrial cancer, both in Asian countries (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.93) and non-Asian countries (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.92).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest a weak inverse association between higher consumption of dietary isoflavones from soy products and legumes and endometrial cancer risk. However, there is still a need for large, prospective epidemiologic studies that provide a higher level of evidence to verify these findings.

The Role of Secondary Metabolites on Gynecologic Cancer Therapy: Some Pathways and Mechanisms

Gynecologic cancers are among the most common cancers in humans and animals. Treatment success depends on several factors including stage at diagnosis, tumor type, origin and metastasis. Currently, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are preferred in the treatment of these cancers. However, many anticarcinogenic drugs can cause severe adverse effects and also the expected response to treatment may not be obtained. In recent studies, the importance of the relationship between cancer and inflammation has been emphasized. Therefore, several phytochemicals that exhibit beneficial bioactive effects towards inflammatory pathways were proven to have anticarcinogenic potential for gynecologic cancer therapy. This review summarizes the role of inflammatory pathways in gynecologic cancers and effective secondary metabolites for cancer therapy.

Calcium Intake and the Risk of Ovarian Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Several epidemiological studies have evaluated the association between calcium intake and the risk of ovarian cancer. However, the results of these studies remain controversial. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis to explore the association between calcium intake and the risk of ovarian cancer. Pubmed, Embase and Web of Science were searched for eligible publications up to April 2017. Pooled relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the random-effects model. Small-study effect was estimated using Egger's test and the funnel plot. Among 15 epidemiological studies involving 493,415 participants and 7453 cases eligible for this meta-analysis, 13 studies were about dietary calcium intake, 4 studies about dairy calcium intake and 7 studies about dietary plus supplemental calcium intake. When comparing the highest with the lowest intake, the pooled RRs of ovarian cancer were 0.80 (95% CI 0.72-0.89) for dietary calcium, 0.80 (95% CI 0.66-0.98) for dairy calcium and 0.90 (95% CI 0.65-1.24) for dietary plus supplemental calcium, respectively. Dietary calcium was significantly associated with a reduced risk of ovarian cancer among cohort studies (RR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.74-0.99) and among case-control studies (RR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.64-0.89). In subgroup analysis by ovarian cancer subtypes, we found a statistically significant association between the dietary calcium (RR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.69-0.88) and the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). This meta-analysis indicated that increased calcium intake might be inversely associated with the risk of ovarian cancer; this still needs to be confirmed by larger prospective cohort studies.

Soy-Based Therapeutic Baby Formulas: Testable Hypotheses Regarding the Pros and Cons

Soy-based infant formulas have been consumed in the United States since 1909, and currently constitute a significant portion of the infant formula market. There are efforts underway to generate genetically modified soybeans that produce therapeutic agents of interest with the intent to deliver those agents in a soy-based infant formula platform. The threefold purpose of this review article is to first discuss the pros and cons of soy-based infant formulas, then present testable hypotheses to discern the suitability of a soy platform for drug delivery in babies, and finally start a discussion to inform public policy on this important area of infant nutrition.

Soy protein isolate inhibits hepatic tumor promotion in mice fed a high-fat liquid diet

Alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases are risk factors for development of hepatocellular carcinoma, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. On the other hand, ingestion of soy-containing diets may oppose the development of certain cancers. We previously reported that replacing casein with a soy protein isolate reduced tumor promotion in the livers of mice with alcoholic liver disease after feeding a high fat ethanol liquid diet following initiation with diethylnitrosamine. Feeding soy protein isolate inhibited processes that may contribute to tumor promotion including inflammation, sphingolipid signaling, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. We have extended these studies to characterize liver tumor promotion in a model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease produced by chronic feeding of high-fat liquid diets in the absence of ethanol. Mice treated with diethylnitrosamine on postnatal day 14 were fed a high-fat liquid diet made with casein or SPI as the sole protein source for 16 weeks in adulthood. Relative to mice fed normal chow, a high fat/casein diet led to increased tumor promotion, hepatocyte proliferation, steatosis, and inflammation. Replacing casein with soy protein isolate counteracted these effects. The high fat diets also resulted in a general increase in transcripts for Wnt/β-catenin pathway components, which may be an important mechanism, whereby hepatic tumorigenesis is promoted. However, soy protein isolate did not block Wnt signaling in this nonalcoholic fatty liver disease model. We conclude that replacing casein with soy protein isolate blocks development of steatosis, inflammation, and tumor promotion in diethylnitrosamine-treated mice fed high fat diets. Impact statement The impact of dietary components on cancer is a topic of great interest for both the general public and the scientific community. Liver cancer is currently the second leading form of cancer deaths worldwide. Our study has addressed the effect of the protein source on hepatic tumor promotion in a mouse model reflecting aspects of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A high-fat liquid diet with casein as the protein source promotes hepatic injury and tumor promotion in diethylnitrosamine-treated mice. Replacing casein with a soy protein isolate led to a pronounced diminishment of tumor promotion and associated hepatic injury and inflammation. The study thus demonstrates that a dietary protein source can have beneficial, preventative effects on hepatic tumor promotion.

Ovarian cancer risk and nonisoflavone flavonoids intake: A systematic review of epidemiological studies

Background:

Although several studies have investigated the association between ovarian cancer risk and nonisoflavone flavonoids intake, these findings are inconsistent. This systematic review of published epidemiological studies was conducted to summarize and clarify the evidence on the association between ovarian cancer incidence and nonisoflavone flavonoids intake.

Materials and Methods:

PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and EMBASE databases were searched based on MeSH term (ovarian neoplasm in combination with flavonoids) to identify related English and non-English papers published up to June 2016. We summarized the results of the relevant studies in this review.

Results:

In total, seven studies (four with cohort and three with case–control design) included in this review. The results of conducted cohort studies show no relation between ovarian cancer risk and total nonisoflavone flavonoids intake, and only one study reported a significant reduction between ovarian cancer incidence and kaempferol and luteolin intake. Similar to those in the cohort studies, also in case–control studies, no association was found between total nonisoflavone flavonoids intake and ovarian cancer risk, just an inverse association between flavonols intake and ovarian cancer was reported.

Conclusion:

Several studies investigated the relation of nonisoflavone flavonoids intake and ovarian cancer risk; none of them reported any association for total nonisoflavone flavonoids intake, but some reported an inverse association between certain subclasses or individual flavonoids. These findings are limited, and there is a need for further and more accurate researches to be confirmed.

Soy Protein Isolate Protects Against Ethanol-Mediated Tumor Progression in Diethylnitrosamine-Treated Male Mice

In this study, diethylnitrosamine-treated male mice were assigned to three groups: (i) a 35% high fat ethanol liquid diet (EtOH) with casein as the protein source, (ii) the same EtOH liquid diet with soy protein isolate as the sole protein source (EtOH/SPI), (iii) and a chow group. EtOH feeding continued for 16 weeks. As expected, EtOH increased the incidence and multiplicity of basophilic lesions and adenomas compared with the chow group, P < 0.05. Soy protein replacement of casein in the EtOH diet significantly reduced adenoma progression when compared with the EtOH and EtOH/SPI group (P < 0.05). Tumor reduction in the EtOH/SPI group corresponded to reduced liver injury associated with decreased hepatic Tnfα and Cd14 antigen (Cd14) expression and decreased nuclear accumulation of NF-κB1 protein compared with the EtOH group (P < 0.05). Detection of sphingolipids using high-resolution matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (MALDI-FTICR) imaging mass spectrometry revealed increased accumulation of long acyl chain ceramide species, and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in the EtOH group that were significantly reduced in the EtOH/SPI group. Chronic EtOH feeding also increased mRNA expression of β-catenin transcriptional targets, including cyclin D1 (Ccnd1), matrix metallopeptidase 7 (Mmp7), and glutamine synthetase (Glns), which were reduced in the EtOH/SPI group (P < 0.05). We conclude that soy prevents tumorigenesis by reducing proinflammatory and oxidative environment resulting from EtOH-induced hepatic injury, and by reducing hepatocyte proliferation through inhibition of β-catenin signaling. These mechanisms may involve changes in sphingolipid signaling. Cancer Prev Res; 9(6); 466-75. ©2016 AACR.

Uterine responses to feeding soy protein isolate and treatment with 17β-estradiol differ in ovariectomized female rats

There are concerns regarding reproductive toxicity from consumption of soy foods, including an increased risk of endometriosis and endometrial cancer, as a result of phytoestrogen consumption. In this study, female rats were fed AIN-93G diets made with casein (CAS) or soy protein isolate (SPI) from postnatal day (PND) 30, ovariectomized on PND 50 and infused with 5 μg/kg/d 17β-estradiol (E2) or vehicle. E2 increased uterine wet weight (P<0.05). RNAseq analysis revealed that E2 significantly altered expression of 1991 uterine genes (P<0.05). SPI feeding had no effect on uterine weight and altered expression of far fewer genes than E2 at 152 genes (P<0.05). Overlap between E2 and SPI genes was limited to 67 genes. Functional annotation analysis indicated significant differences in uterine biological processes affected by E2 and SPI and little evidence for recruitment of estrogen receptor (ER)α to the promoters of ER-responsive genes after SPI feeding. The major E2 up-regulated uterine pathways were carcinogenesis and extracellular matrix organization, whereas SPI feeding up-regulated uterine peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) signaling and fatty acid metabolism. The combination of E2 and SPI resulted in significant regulation of 504 fewer genes relative to E2 alone. The ability of E2 to induce uterine proliferation in response to the carcinogen dimethybenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) as measured by expression of PCNA and Ki67 mRNA was suppressed by feeding SPI (P<0.05). These data suggest that SPI is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) interacting with a small sub-set of E2-regulated genes and is anti-estrogenic in the presence of endogenous estrogens.

Soy Intake Is Associated With Lower Endometrial Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Epidemiologic studies reporting the effect of soy intake on endometrial cancer risk conveyed conflicting results. We systematically reviewed the literature to investigate whether there was an inverse relation between dietary soy intake and endometrial cancer risk. PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and 4 main Chinese literature databases were searched from their inception to August 25, 2015 for both case-control studies and cohort studies that assessed the effect of soy intake on endometrial cancer risk. Study-specific most-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) or relative risks (RRs) were combined by using fixed-effects or random-effects model to calculate pooled risk estimates (REs). A total of 10 epidemiologic studies were included in this meta-analysis, including 8 case-control studies and 2 prospective cohort studies. Dietary soy intake was inversely associated with endometrial cancer risk with an overall RE of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.72, 0.91). In subgroup analyses, a statistically significant protective effect of soy intake was found for unfermented soy food (RE: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.97), postmenopausal women (RE: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.61, 0.95), and Asian (RE: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.66, 0.95) and non-Asian population (RE: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.71, 0.96). Current evidence indicates that soy food intake is associated with lower endometrial cancer risk. Further larger cohort studies are warranted to fully clarify such an association.

Plant derived and dietary phenolic antioxidants: anticancer properties

In this paper, a review of the literature on the phenolic compounds with anticancer activity published between 2008 and 2012 is presented. In this overview only phenolic antioxidant compounds that display significant anticancer activity have been described. In the first part of this review, the oxidative and nitrosative stress relation with cancer are described. In the second part, the plant-derived food extracts, containing identified phenolic antioxidants, the phenolic antioxidants isolated from plants and plant-derived food or commercially available and the synthetic ones, along with the type of cancer and cells where they exert anticancer activity, are described and summarized in tables. The principal mechanisms for their anti-proliferative effects were also described. Finally, a critical analysis of the studies and directions for future research are included in the conclusion.

A hypothesis regarding the molecular mechanism underlying dietary soy-induced effects on seizure propensity

Numerous neurological disorders including fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, autism, and Alzheimer’s disease are co-morbid with epilepsy. We have observed elevated seizure propensity in mouse models of these disorders dependent on diet. Specifically, soy-based diets exacerbate audiogenic-induced seizures in juvenile mice. We have also found potential associations between the consumption of soy-based infant formula and seizure incidence, epilepsy comorbidity, and autism diagnostic scores in autistic children by retrospective analyses of medical record data. In total, these data suggest that consumption of high levels of soy protein during postnatal development may affect neuronal excitability. Herein, we present our theory regarding the molecular mechanism underlying soy-induced effects on seizure propensity. We hypothesize that soy phytoestrogens interfere with metabotropic glutamate receptor signaling through an estrogen receptor-dependent mechanism, which results in elevated production of key synaptic proteins and decreased seizure threshold.

Mushroom intake and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer in southern Chinese women

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the association between mushroom consumption and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer in southern Chinese women.

METHODS

A hospital-based case-control study was undertaken in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, from 2006 to 2008. Participants were 500 incident patients with epithelial ovarian cancer and 500 controls, with a mean (SD) age of 59 (6) years. Information on habitual mushroom consumption was obtained by face-to-face interview using a validated and reliable food frequency questionnaire. Unconditional logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between mushroom intake and the ovarian cancer risk.

RESULTS

The patients with ovarian cancer consumed less mushrooms (mean [SD], 28.48 [37.45] g/d) than did controls (mean [SD], 30.75 [41.85] g/d). Apparent reductions in cancer risk were found at high levels of intake, especially for the common white button mushroom with adjusted odds ratios 0.68 (95% confidence interval, 0.52-0.89) for women consuming more than 2 g per day relative to those who consume less than that (P = 0.005). Decreases in risk at high levels of intake were also observed for serous and mucinous subtypes of epithelial ovarian tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Intake of mushrooms, particularly white button mushroom, seemed to be inversely associated with the incidence of epithelial ovarian cancer in southern Chinese women.

Genistein as a Potential Anticancer Agent against Ovarian Cancer

Genistein is known as the major component of isoflavone, which is present in high-soy diets. Genistein has received much attention because of its chemopreventive and therapeutic effects on various types of cancers. Numerous studies have shown that genistein has antineoplastic effects against ovarian cancer. Several epidemiological studies have shown that women who have high consumption of isoflavones have a relatively low incidence of ovarian cancer. Genistein inhibits ovarian carcinogenesis by pleiotropic mechanisms. A higher affinity to estrogen receptor β is one probable explanation for its ability to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. Genistein also targets multiple cellular signal transduction pathways associated with cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. In addition, genistein has been suggested to have antiangiogenic and antioxidant activities. Herein, we summarize recent results from epidemiological and experimental studies to identify the role of genistein in ovarian cancer. Further studies are needed to achieve conclusive results and determine the clinical applications of genistein.

Soy isoflavone intake and the likelihood of ever becoming a mother: the Adventist Health Study-2

Objectives

As little is known about the possible relationship between the intake of phytoestrogens and female fertility, we investigated the relationship between soy isoflavone intake and the risk of nulliparity and nulligravidity.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 11,688 North American Adventist women aged 30–50 years old with data regarding childbearing. These women were, as a group, characterized by a high proportion (54%) of vegetarians and a healthy lifestyle with a very low prevalence of smoking and alcohol use.

Results

The mean isoflavone intake (17.9 mg per day) was very high compared to other Western populations. Only 6% of the women indicated no intake of isoflavones. We found, after adjustment for age, marital status, and educational level, an inverse relationship (P=0.05) between isoflavone intake and the likelihood of ever having become a mother. In women with high (≥40 mg/day) isoflavone intake (12% of this group of women), the adjusted lifetime probability of giving birth to a live child was reduced by approximately 3% (95% CI: 0, 7) compared to women with low (<10 mg/day) intake. No relationships were found between the isoflavone intake and parity or age at first delivery in parous women. A similar inverse relationship (P=0.03) was found between the isoflavone intake and the risk of nulligravidity with a 13% (95% CI: 2, 26) higher risk of never have been pregnant in women with high (≥40 mg/day) isoflavone intake. These relationships were found mainly in women who reported problems becoming pregnant.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that a high dietary isoflavone intake may have significant impact on fertility.

Soy and isoflavone intake associated with reduced risk of ovarian cancer in southern Chinese women

Isoflavones, mainly found in soy, have been shown to inhibit ovarian cancer cell proliferation. We hypothesized that soy consumption and isoflavone intake are related to the risk of ovarian cancer. A case-control study was conducted in southern China to ascertain this hypothesis. Five hundred incident patients with histologically confirmed cancer of the ovary and 500 controls (mean age 59 years) were recruited from four public hospitals in Guangzhou. Information on habitual consumption of soy foods, including soybean, soy milk, fresh tofu, dried tofu, and soybean sprout, was obtained face-to-face from participants through a validated and reliable semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Isoflavone intakes were then estimated using the USDA nutrient database. The ovarian cancer patients reported lower consumption levels of individual and total soy foods (75.3 ± 53.6 g/day) compared to the controls (110.7 ± 88.8 g/day). Logistic regression analyses showed that regular intake of soy foods could reduce the ovarian cancer risk, the adjusted odds ratio being 0.29 (95% confidence interval 0.20 to 0.42) for women who consumed at least 120 g/day relative to those less than 61 g/day. Similarly, isoflavone intakes were inversely associated with the ovarian cancer risk, with significant dose-response relationships (P < 0.001). We concluded that consumption of soy foods is associated with a reduced risk of ovarian cancer in southern Chinese women.

Endometrial cancer in Asian and American Indian/Alaskan Native women: tumor characteristics, treatment and outcome compared to non-Hispanic white women

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to compare survival of Asian (AS), American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) and non-Hispanic white (NHW) women with endometrial adenocarcinoma (EC).

METHODS

Patients with EC were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program from 1988 to 2009. Kaplan-Meier survival methods and Cox proportional hazards regression were performed.

RESULTS

Of the 105,083 women, 97,763 (93%) were NHW, 6699 (6.4%) were AS and 621 (0.6%) were AI/AN. AS and AI/AN were younger than NHW with mean age of 57.7 and 56.5 vs. 64.3 years (p < 0.001 and 0.059). Advanced stage and high-risk histology were more prominent in AS than NHW (15.6% vs. 13.3%, p = 0.04, 10.6% vs. 9.6%, p= 0.041). Lymphadenectomy was performed more frequently in AS than NHW (56.7% vs. 48.2%, p < 0.001). Asian immigrants were younger than Asian natives (mean age 57 vs. 60.5 years, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, AS had better overall (OS) (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.81-0.91, p < 0.001) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.84-1.00, p = 0.05) than NHW. Further, Asian immigrants had better OS (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.73-0.94, p = 0.002) and CSS (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.54-0.80, p < 0.001) than Asian natives. In contrast, AI/AN had worse OS (HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.15-1.59, p < 0.001) but no difference in CSS (HR 1.06, 95% CI 0.80-1.40, p = 0.69) than NHW.

CONCLUSIONS

Asians were younger at presentation, more likely to have lymphadenectomy and had an improved outcome compared to NHW. Interestingly, Asian immigrants had more favorable outcome than Asians born in the US. Further studies are warranted to find possible explanations for such a difference.

What is integrative oncology and can it help my patients?

Integrative oncology lends itself to the comprehensive practice of gynecologic oncology with multiple tools and interventions that can impact on QoL and survival. However, there remains a paucity of well-designed, well-powered randomized control trials on various CAM modalities for gynecologic cancer patients. The reasons for the lack of level 1 evidence include the nascent state of integrative medicine as a science, the limitations on CAM funding, the relative lack of integration of CAM practitioners into the oncology community, and absence of strict regulation of herbs and supplements by the US FDA. The use of CAM as adjunctive therapies will likely continue given the patient-driven trends to date, and given the evidence for at least safety and potentially efficacy, our patients deserve our willingness to use all possible approaches to improving their outcomes. Continued evolution of our ability to specifically measure and describe QoL will further our ability to hone in on domains most important to patients and their survival and allow practitioners to make patient-specific recommendations. Multimodal programs that include physical activity, stress management, and diet have the potential to address demonstrated deficits in PWB and FWB in ovarian cancer patients which suggests a model of collaborative gynecologic oncology care). Integrative oncology represents a holistic approach to patient care whose goal is maximization of patient quantity and quality of life. Patients can achieve this optimal outcome through the synergy of conventional care, integrative modalities, lifestyle modifications, and supportive care. Refer to Table 4 for a listing of integrated medicine Internet resources.

Estimated intake of dietary phyto-oestrogens in Australian women and evaluation of correlates of phyto-oestrogen intake

The role of dietary phyto-oestrogens in health has been of continued interest and debate, but data available on the distribution of intake in the Australian diet are scarce. Therefore, we aimed to estimate phyto-oestrogen consumption in Australian women, describe the pattern of intake and identify correlates of high phyto-oestrogen intake. Study participants were 2078 control women (18–79 years) from two population-based case–control studies on gynaecological cancers (2002–2007). Dietary information was obtained using a 135-item FFQ, and the intakes of isoflavones, lignans, enterolignans and coumestans, including their individual components, were estimated using a database of phyto-oestrogen content in food developed in the UK. Median total intake (energy-adjusted) of phyto-oestrogens was 1·29 mg/d, including 611 µg/d isoflavones, 639 µg/d lignans, 21 µg/d enterolignans and 8 µg/d coumestrol. Both isoflavone and lignan intakes were strongly skewed towards higher values and positively correlated with age. Women consumed on average two servings of soyabean foods/week. Compared to lower phyto-oestrogen consumers (≤1·29 mg/d, median split), higher phyto-oestrogen consumers (>1·29 mg/d) were slightly older, less likely to be smokers, had a higher educational and physical activity level, lower BMI, lower intake of dietary fat, and higher intake of fibre, selected micronutrients and soyabean foods (all P < 0·03). The daily intake of phyto-oestrogens in Australian women with predominantly Caucasian ethnicity is approximately 1 mg; this is similar to other Western populations, but considerably lower than that among Asian women. However, those with a relatively high phyto-oestrogen diet seem to have a healthier lifestyle and a more favourable dietary profile compared to others.

Phytoestrogens for menopausal symptoms: a review

OBJECTIVE

To review the evidence that isoflavones are effective treatments for menopausal symptoms and to present the safety data.

METHODS

The databases Scopus, ScienceDirect and Primo Central Index were searched and preference was given to systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

RESULTS

The available evidence suggests that isoflavones do not relieve menopausal vasomotor symptoms any better than placebo. Long-term safety studies suggest that women who consume a diet high in isoflavones may have a lower risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Isoflavones cannot be recommended for the relief of hot flushes.

American Cancer Society Guidelines on nutrition and physical activity for cancer prevention: reducing the risk of cancer with healthy food choices and physical activity

The American Cancer Society (ACS) publishes Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines to serve as a foundation for its communication, policy, and community strategies and, ultimately, to affect dietary and physical activity patterns among Americans. These Guidelines, published approximately every 5 years, are developed by a national panel of experts in cancer research, prevention, epidemiology, public health, and policy, and they reflect the most current scientific evidence related to dietary and activity patterns and cancer risk. The ACS Guidelines focus on recommendations for individual choices regarding diet and physical activity patterns, but those choices occur within a community context that either facilitates or creates barriers to healthy behaviors. Therefore, this committee presents recommendations for community action to accompany the 4 recommendations for individual choices to reduce cancer risk. These recommendations for community action recognize that a supportive social and physical environment is indispensable if individuals at all levels of society are to have genuine opportunities to choose healthy behaviors. The ACS Guidelines are consistent with guidelines from the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association for the prevention of coronary heart disease and diabetes, as well as for general health promotion, as defined by the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

A randomized parallel-group dietary study for stages II-IV ovarian cancer survivors

OBJECTIVE

Few studies have examined the dietary habits of ovarian cancer survivors. Therefore, we conducted a study to assess the feasibility and impact of two dietary interventions for ovarian cancer survivors.

METHODS

In this randomized, parallel-group study, 51 women (mean age, 53 years) diagnosed with stages II-IV ovarian cancer were recruited and randomly assigned to a low fat, high fiber (LFHF) diet or a modified National Cancer Institute diet supplemented with a soy-based beverage and encapsulated fruit and vegetable juice concentrates (FVJCs). Changes in clinical measures, serum carotenoid and tocopherol levels, dietary intake, anthropometry, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) were assessed with paired t-tests.

RESULTS

The recruitment rate was 25%, and the retention rate was 75% at 6 months. At baseline, 28% and 45% of women met guidelines for intake of fiber and of fruits and vegetables, respectively. After 6 months, total serum carotenoid levels and α- and β-carotene concentrations were significantly increased in both groups (P<0.01); however, β-carotene concentrations were increased more in the FVJC group. Serum β-cryptoxanthin levels, fiber intake (+5.2g/day), and daily servings of juice (+0.9 servings/day) and vegetables (+1.3 servings/day) were all significantly increased in the LFHF group (all P<0.05). Serum levels of albumin, lutein and zeaxanthin, retinol, and retinyl palmitate were significantly increased in the FVJC group (all P<0.05). No changes in cancer antigen-125, anthropometry, or HRQOL were observed.

CONCLUSION

Overall, this study supports the feasibility of designing dietary interventions for stages II-IV ovarian cancer survivors and provides preliminary evidence that a low fat high fiber diet and a diet supplemented with encapsulated FVJC may increase phytonutrients in ovarian cancer survivors.

Cocoa and chocolate in human health and disease

Cocoa contains more phenolic antioxidants than most foods. Flavonoids, including catechin, epicatechin, and procyanidins predominate in antioxidant activity. The tricyclic structure of the flavonoids determines antioxidant effects that scavenge reactive oxygen species, chelate Fe2+ and Cu+, inhibit enzymes, and upregulate antioxidant defenses. The epicatechin content of cocoa is primarily responsible for its favorable impact on vascular endothelium via its effect on both acute and chronic upregulation of nitric oxide production. Other cardiovascular effects are mediated through anti-inflammatory effects of cocoa polyphenols, and modulated through the activity of NF-κB. Antioxidant effects of cocoa may directly influence insulin resistance and, in turn, reduce risk for diabetes. Further, cocoa consumption may stimulate changes in redox-sensitive signaling pathways involved in gene expression and the immune response. Cocoa can protect nerves from injury and inflammation, protect the skin from oxidative damage from UV radiation in topical preparations, and have beneficial effects on satiety, cognitive function, and mood. As cocoa is predominantly consumed as energy-dense chocolate, potential detrimental effects of overconsumption exist, including increased risk of weight gain. Overall, research to date suggests that the benefits of moderate cocoa or dark chocolate consumption likely outweigh the risks.

Phytoestrogen consumption from foods and supplements and epithelial ovarian cancer risk: a population-based case control study

Background

While there is extensive literature evaluating the impact of phytoestrogen consumption on breast cancer risk, its role on ovarian cancer has received little attention.

Methods

We conducted a population-based case-control study to evaluate phytoestrogen intake from foods and supplements and epithelial ovarian cancer risk. Cases were identified in six counties in New Jersey through the New Jersey State Cancer Registry. Controls were identified by random digit dialing, CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service) lists, and area sampling. A total of 205 cases and 390 controls were included in analyses. Unconditional logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine associations with total phytoestrogens, as well as isoflavones (daidzein, genistein, formononetin, and glycitein), lignans (matairesinol, lariciresinol, pinoresinol, secoisolariciresinol), and coumestrol.

Results

No statistically significant associations were found with any of the phytoestrogens under evaluation. However, there was a suggestion of an inverse association with total phytoestrogen consumption (from foods and supplements), with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.62 (95% CI: 0.38-1.00; p for trend: 0.04) for the highest vs. lowest tertile of consumption, after adjusting for reproductive covariates, age, race, education, BMI, and total energy. Further adjustment for smoking and physical activity attenuated risk estimates (OR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.41-1.08). There was little evidence of an inverse association for isoflavones, lignans, or coumestrol.

Conclusions

This study provided some suggestion that phytoestrogen consumption may decrease ovarian cancer risk, although results did not reach statistical significance.

Risks and benefits of dietary isoflavones for cancer

A high intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with a lower risk of cancer. In this context, considerable attention is paid to Asian populations who consume high amounts of soy and soy-derived isoflavones, and have a lower risk for several cancer types such as breast and prostate cancers than populations in Western countries. Hence, interest focuses on soyfoods, soy products, and soy ingredients such as isoflavones with regard to their possible beneficial effects that were observed in numerous experiments and studies. The outcomes of the studies are not always conclusive, are often contradictory depending on the experimental conditions, and are, therefore, difficult to interpret. Isoflavone research revealed not only beneficial but also adverse effects, for instance, on the reproductive system. This is also the case with tumor-promoting effects on, for example, breast tissue. Isoflavone extracts and supplements are often used for the treatment of menopausal symptoms and for the prevention of age-associated conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. In relation to this, questions about the effectiveness and safety of isoflavones have to be clarified. Moreover, there are concerns about the maternal consumption of isoflavones due to the development of leukemia in infants. In contrast, men may benefit from the intake of isoflavones with regard to reducing the risk of prostate cancer. Therefore, this review examines the risks but also the benefits of isoflavones with regard to various kinds of cancer, which can be derived from animal and human studies as well as from in vitro experiments.

Modulation of inflammatory signaling pathways by phytochemicals in ovarian cancer

Inflammation has been suggested to be involved in cancer development and progression. Many clinical and experimental studies have shown that inflammation could contribute to ovarian carcinogenesis through activation of the NF-κB and AP-1 pathways by chronic inflammatory mediators. Phytochemicals, which are natural compounds derived from fruits and vegetables, have shown anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. Due to their relatively low toxicity and easy accessibility, phytochemicals have been investigated for their chemopreventive potential against various cancers. In this review, we discuss the role of phytochemicals in preventing ovarian cancer through anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Fermented and non-fermented soy food consumption and gastric cancer in Japanese and Korean populations: a meta-analysis of observational studies

Soy food is known to contribute greatly to a reduction in the risk of gastric cancer (GC). However, both Japanese and Korean populations have high incidence rates of GC despite the consumption of a wide variety of soy foods. One primary reason is that they consume fermented rather than non-fermented soy foods. In order to assess the varying effects of fermented and non-fermented soy intake on GC risk in these populations, we conducted a meta-analysis of published reports. Twenty studies assessing the effect of the consumption of fermented soy food on GC risk were included, and 17 studies assessing the effect of the consumption of non-fermented soy food on GC risk were included. We found that a high intake of fermented soy foods was significantly associated with an increased risk of GC (odds ratio [OR] = 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-1.44, I(2) = 71.48), whereas an increased intake of non-fermented soy foods was significantly associated with a decreased risk of GC (overall summary OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.54-0.77, I(2) = 64.27). These findings show that a high level of consumption of non-fermented soy foods, rather than fermented soy foods, is important in reducing GC risk.

Dietary phytoestrogens and the risk of ovarian cancer in the women's lifestyle and health cohort study

BACKGROUND

Dietary intake of phytoestrogens has been inversely associated to hormone-dependent cancers, such as prostate and breast cancers. Few studies have investigated the association between ovarian cancer and intake of phytoestrogens. We evaluated the associations between intake of phytoestrogens (isoflavonoids/lignans/coumestrol) and fiber (vegetable/cereal) and risk of ovarian cancer.

METHODS

In 1991-1992 a prospective population-based cohort study among Swedish women was conducted, including 47,140 women with complete dietary questionnaire data. During follow-up until December 2007, 163 women developed invasive (n = 117) and borderline (n = 46) ovarian cancers. The median follow-up time was 16 years and total person year was 747,178. Cox proportional hazards models were conducted to estimate multivariate risk ratios, 95% CI for associations with risk of ovarian cancer.

RESULTS

We found no association between intake of phytoestrogens or fiber and overall ovarian cancer risk. In addition, we found no statistically significant association between intake of specific food items rich in phytoestrogens (berries, nuts, beans/soy, and crisp or whole-grain bread) and ovarian cancer risk overall. Fiber and coumestrol was inversely associated with borderline ovarian cancer, but not with invasive ovarian cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

We found no association between intake of phytoestrogens or fiber and overall ovarian cancer risk.

IMPACT

Phytoestrogens do not play a major etiologic role in ovarian cancer, at least among women in this Swedish cohort with low bean/soy intake. However, our results of a difference in the effect of fiber or coumestrol between invasive and borderline ovarian cancer need to be evaluated in larger studies.