title: Expression of DNA repair and metabolic genes in response to a flavonoid-rich diet.
abstract: A diet rich in fruit and vegetables can be effective in the reduction of oxidative stress, through the antioxidant effects of phytochemicals and other mechanisms. Protection against the carcinogenic effects of chemicals may also be exerted by an enhancement of detoxification and DNA damage repair mechanisms. To investigate a putative effect of flavonoids, a class of polyphenols, on the regulation of the gene expression of DNA repair and metabolic genes, a 1-month flavonoid-rich diet was administered to thirty healthy male smokers, nine of whom underwent gene expression analysis. We postulated that tobacco smoke is a powerful source of reactive oxygen species. The expression level of twelve genes (APEX, ERCC1, ERCC2, ERCC4, MGMT, OGG1, XPA, XPC, XRCC1, XRCC3, AHR, CYP1A1) was investigated. We found a significant increase (P < 0.001) in flavonoid intake. Urinary phenolic content and anti-mutagenicity did not significantly change after diet, nor was a correlation found between flavonoid intake and urinary phenolic levels or anti-mutagenicity. Phenolic levels showed a significant positive correlation with urinary anti-mutagenicity. AHR levels were significantly reduced after the diet (P = 0.038), whereas the other genes showed a generalized up regulation, significant for XRCC3 gene (P = 0.038). Also in the context of a generalized up regulation of DNA repair genes, we found a non-significant negative correlation between flavonoid intake and the expression of all the DNA repair genes. Larger studies are needed to clarify the possible effects of flavonoids in vivo; our preliminary results could help to better plan new studies on gene expression and diet.
authors: Institute for Scientific Interchange Foundation, Section of Life Sciences, viale Settimio Severo 65, Torino, Italy.
authors: Simonetta
authors: S
authors: Guarrera
authors: Carlotta
authors: C
authors: Sacerdote
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Fiorini
authors: Rosa
authors: R
authors: Marsala
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Polidoro
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Gamberini
authors: Federica
authors: F
authors: Saletta
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Malaveille
authors: Glenn
authors: G
authors: Talaska
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Vineis
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Matullo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000235:genetics; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000235:genetics*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004032:Diet; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000235:genetics*; D005504:Food Analysis; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D010636:Phenols / Q000652:urine; D012907:Smoking / Q000503:physiopathology; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols