Bioavailability and kinetics of sulforaphane in humans after consumption of cooked versus raw broccoli

The aim of this study was to determine the bioavailability and kinetics of the supposed anticarcinogen sulforaphane, the hydrolysis product of glucoraphanin, from raw and cooked broccoli. Eight men consumed 200 g of crushed broccoli, raw or cooked, with a warm meal in a randomized, free-living, open cross-over trial. Higher amounts of...

Modulatory effects of quercetin on proliferation and differentiation of the human colorectal cell line Caco-2

The effect of the dietary flavonoid quercetin was investigated on proliferation and differentiation of the human colon cancer cell line Caco-2. Confluent Caco-2 monolayers exposed to quercetin showed a biphasic effect on cell proliferation and a decrease in cell differentiation (0.001<P<0.05). During differentiation Caco-2 cells formed 5 phase...

Do aberrant crypt foci have predictive value for the occurrence of colorectal tumours? Potential of gene expression profiling in tumours

The effects of different dietary compounds on the formation of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and colorectal tumours and on the expression of a selection of genes were studied in rats. Azoxymethane-treated male F344 rats were fed either a control diet or a diet containing 10% wheat bran (WB), 0.2% curcumin (CUR), 4% rutin (RUT) or 0.04% benzyl...

Metabolism of sinigrin (2-propenyl glucosinolate) by the human colonic microflora in a dynamic in vitro large-intestinal model

Cruciferous vegetables, such as Brassica, which contain substantial quantities of glucosinolates, have been suggested to possess anticarcinogenic activity. Cutting and chewing of cruciferous vegetables releases the thioglucosidase enzyme myrosinase, which degrades glucosinolates to isothiocyanates and other minor metabolites. Cooking of...

Effect of dietary galacto-oligosaccharides on azoxymethane-induced aberrant crypt foci and colorectal cancer in Fischer 344 rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS, Elix'or) on the development of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and colorectal tumours in rats treated with azoxymethane (AOM). Two groups of 102 male Fischer 344 rats were injected twice with AOM to induce colorectal tumours, and fed diets containing either a...

A European carotenoid database to assess carotenoid intakes and its use in a five-country comparative study

A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and carotenoid database with information on alpha- and beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene and beta-cryptoxanthin was prepared and used to compare the carotenoid intakes in five European countries: UK, Republic of Ireland, Spain, France and The Netherlands. Eighty, age- (25-45 years) and sex-matched volunteers...

Brassica vegetables and cancer prevention: Epidemiology and mechanisms

This paper first gives an overview of the epidemiological data concerning the cancer-preventive effect of brassica vegetables, including cabbages, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. A protective effect of brassicas against cancer may be plausible due to their relatively high content of glucosinolates. Certain hydrolysis products...

Vitamins, carotenoids, dietary fiber, and the risk of gastric carcinoma

BACKGROUND. Numerous components of fruit and vegetables are considered to decrease the risk of gastric carcinoma. In the current prospective study, the authors examined the association between the intake of vitamins, carotenoids, and dietary fiber and vitamin supplement use and the incidence rate of gastric carcinoma. METHODS. The Netherlands...

Increased bioactivation of dihaloalkanes in rat liver due to induction of class Theta glutathione S-transferase T1-1

A characteristic feature of the class Theta glutathione S-transferase (GST) T1-1 is its ability to activate dichloromethane and dibromoethane by catalysing the formation of mutagenic conjugates. The level of the GSTT1 subunit within tissues is an important determinant of susceptibility to the carcinogenic effects of these dihaloalkanes. In the...

A review of mechanisms underlying anticarcinogenicity by brassica vegetables

The mechanisms by which brassica vegetables might decrease the risk of cancer are reviewed in this paper. Brassicas, including all types of cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, may be protective against cancer due to their relatively high glucosinolate content. Glucosinolates are usually broken down through hydrolysis catalyzed...

Effects of sandostatin, alone and in combination with surgical castration, on pancreatic carcinigenesis in rats and hamsters

In a previous short-term study (4 months) we found that Sandostatin, when administered prophylactically, inhibited growth of putative pre-neoplastic ductular lesions induced in hamster pancreas by N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP), but not of acinar lesions induced in rat pancreas by azaserine. The present long-term (12 months) study was...

Epidemiological studies on Brassica vegetables and cancer risk

This paper gives an overview of the epidemiological data concerning the cancer-preventive effect of brassica vegetables, including cabbage, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. The protective effect of brassicas against cancer may be due to their relatively high content of glucosinolates. Certain hydrolysis products of...

Effects of dietary β-carotene and selenium on initiation and promotion of pancreatic carcinogenesis in azaserine-treated rats

In the present study the effects of 0.1 or 1.0 g β-carotene/kg diet (LβC or HβC) and 1.0 mg or 2.5 mg selenium/kg diet (LSel or HSel), as well as combinations of the respective low and high concentrations of p-carotene and selenium (LMix or HMix) on the initiation/early promotion phase or on the late promotion phase of pancreatic carcinogenesis...

Dietary fish oil (MaxEPA) enhances pancreatic carcinogenesis in azaserine-treated rats

In the present study the putative chemopreventive effect of dietary fish oil (MaxEPA) on azaserine-induced pancreatic carcinogenesis in rats was investigated. Groups of rats were maintained on a semipurified low-fat (LF; 5 wt%) diet or on semipurified high-fat (HF; 25 wt%) diets containing 5 wt% linoleic acid (LA) and including 0.0, 1.2, 2.4, 4...

Reduction of oxidative DNA-damage in humans by Brussels sprouts

The effect of consumption of Brussels sprouts on levels of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) in human urine was investigated in 10 healthy, male, non-smoking volunteers. Following a 3 week run-in period, five volunteers continued on a diet free of cruciferous vegetables for a subsequent 3 week intervention period (control group),...