title: Harmful effects behind the daily supplementation of a fixed vegetarian blend in the rat model.
abstract: Fruit and vegetables (FV) have long been considered a panacea against major chronic diseases, including cancer. However, there is no convincing epidemiological, clinical or experimental evidence supporting FV chemopreventive ability. A daily mono-supplementation of lyophilized onion, tomato, peach, black grape or lettuce was compared with the daily combined administration of the same FV (5 a day-like diet). Ten days post-treatment, the phase-I/II xenobiotic metabolizing and antioxidant enzyme activities, protein and mRNA levels were investigated. As a marker of oxidative stress, the level of hydroperoxides was measured in rat serum samples. Here we show that a blend of FV orally administered to rats not only potentially manipulates metabolism but also disrupts systemic oxidative homeostasis. A daily combination of the five servings remarkably down-regulates the catalytic activity, protein and mRNA levels of a cohort of hepatic metabolizing enzymes, suggesting a possible depressed clearance upon exposure to ubiquitous carcinogens. Strikingly, we observed an impairment of antioxidant enzymes with a boost in systemic hydroperoxide levels. Our study identifies new potential factors of cancer risk connected with the persistent consumption of fixed servings of FV, suggesting that dietary guidance should rely on a "daily diversification" of FV.
authors.affiliation: Molecular and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma-Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: barbara.bonamassa2@unibo.it.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bonamassa
authors.affiliation: Molecular and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma-Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Canistro
authors.affiliation: Molecular and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma-Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sapone
authors.affiliation: Molecular and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma-Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vivarelli
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vornoli
authors.affiliation: Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, CNR, via Moruzzi1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.affiliation: Molecular and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma-Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Moreno
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paolini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005638:Fruit / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014675:Vegetables / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide
keywords: Antioxidant enzymes; Dietary guidance; Drug metabolizing enzymes; Fruit and vegetables; Oxidative stress