Cruciferous vegetables and colo-rectal cancer.
Cruciferous vegetables have been studied extensively for their chemoprotective effects. Although they contain many bioactive compounds, the anti-carcinogenic actions of cruciferous vegetables are commonly attributed to their content of glucosinolates. Glucosinolates are relatively biologically inert but can be hydrolysed to a range of bioactive compounds such as isothiocyanates (ITC) and indoles by the plant-based enzyme myrosinase, or less efficiently by the colonic microflora. A number of mechanisms whereby ITC and indoles may protect against colo-rectal cancer have been identified. In experimental animals cruciferous vegetables have been shown to inhibit chemically-induced colon cancer. However, the results of recent epidemiological cohort studies have been inconsistent and this disparity may reflect a lack of sensitivity of such studies. Possible explanations for the failure of epidemiological studies to detect an effect include: assessment of cruciferous vegetable intake by methods that are subject to large measurement errors; the interaction between diet and genotype has not been considered: the effect that post-harvest treatments may have on biological effects of cruciferous vegetables has not been taken into account.
Lynn
Anthony
A
The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK. A.Lynn@sheffield.ac.uk
Collins
Andrew
A
Fuller
Zoë
Z
Hillman
Kevin
K
Ratcliffe
Brian
B
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D019607:Brassicaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods; D005961:Glucosinolates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017879:Isothiocyanates / Q000378:metabolism
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D005961:Glucosinolates; D017879:Isothiocyanates; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases