title: A principal mechanism for the cancer chemopreventive activity of phenethyl isothiocyanate is modulation of carcinogen metabolism.
abstract: Isothiocyanates are small molecules characterized by high chemical reactivity that allows them to interact readily with cellular constituents eliciting a plethora of biological activities. They are present exclusively in cruciferous vegetables, as glucosinolates, the intake of which has been associated with cancer chemoprevention. When the physical structure of these vegetables is disturbed, e.g. during mastication, the enzyme myrosinase is released and converts the glucosinolates to isothiocyanates (R-N=C=S), where R can be aliphatic or aromatic. Although sulforaphane, an aliphatic isothiocyanate, has received most attention worldwide, the most extensively studied aromatic isothiocyanate is phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), and there are substantial differences in biological activity between the two sub-classes. In animal cancer models, PEITC effectively antagonized the carcinogenicity of chemicals, especially nitrosocompounds. A principal mechanism of their action is to protect the integrity of DNA by decreasing the levels of the genotoxic metabolites of chemical carcinogens. Extensive studies established that PEITC modulates the metabolism of the tobacco-specific carcinogenic nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) by inhibiting its cytochrome P450-mediated bioactivation. Moreover, PEITC is a potent inducer of detoxification enzymes such as quinone reductase, glutathione S-transferase and glucuronosyl transferase. PEITC is rapidly absorbed and is characterized by a large bioavailability; Cmax concentrations achieved in plasma after dietary intake are sufficient to modulate carcinogen metabolism. PEITC is primarily metabolized by glutathione conjugation and is excreted in the urine and bile as the mercapturate. The ability of PEITC to perturb carcinogen metabolism through modulation of cytochrome P450 and phase II detoxification enzymes is comprehensively and critically reviewed.
authors.affiliation: a Molecular Toxicology Group, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey , Guildford, Surrey , UK and.
authors.forename: Costas
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ioannides
authors.affiliation: b Food Technology Program, School of Agro-Industry, Mae Fah Luang University , Chiang Rai , Thailand.
authors.forename: Nattaya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Konsue
mesh_terms: D065767:Activation, Metabolic; D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D006801:Humans; D017879:Isothiocyanates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050217:Metabolic Detoxication, Phase II; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D065840:Protective Factors; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D002273:Carcinogens; D017879:Isothiocyanates; C058305:phenethyl isothiocyanate; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
keywords: Cancer chemoprevention; chemical carcinogenesis; cytochrome P450; gluconasturtiin; glucosinolates; isothiocyanates