Chemoprevention of rat prostate carcinogenesis by soy isoflavones and by Bowman-Birk inhibitor.

Abstract

Epidemiology studies suggest that soy consumption confers protection against human prostate cancer. To identify the soy component(s) that may be responsible for this chemopreventive activity, studies were conducted to determine the influence of a soy isoflavone mixture (PTI G-2535; 45% genistein, 22% daidzein, 2% glycitein) and a soy-derived protease inhibitor (Bowman-Birk Inhibitor Concentrate; BBIC) on prostate carcinogenesis in rats. Prostate cancers were induced in male Wistar-Unilever rats by a sequential regimen of cyproterone acetate and testosterone propionate, followed by a single intravenous injection of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) and chronic androgen stimulation. In separate studies, PTI G-2535 and BBIC were administered continuously at 0 (control), 200, or 2000 mg/kg diet, beginning 1 wk post-MNU. PTI G-2535 and BBIC both conferred modest, but statistically significant and dose-related protection against carcinogenesis in the dorsolateral+anterior prostate. These data demonstrate that both the isoflavone and protein (protease inhibitor) components of soy can inhibit prostate carcinogenesis in the rat. However, the modest individual activities of soy isoflavones and BBIC suggest that while both components may contribute to the chemopreventive activity of soy, combination administration (or exposure to whole soy) may be more effective in prostate cancer prevention than is administration of either component alone.

• Authors: David L McCormick, William D Johnson, Maarten C Bosland, Ronald A Lubet, Vernon E Steele
• Journal: Nutrition and cancer (Nutr Cancer) Vol. 57 Issue 2 Pg. 184-93 ( 2007) ISSN: 0163-5581 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17571952 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)

Chemical References

• Anticarcinogenic Agents
• Isoflavones
• Trypsin Inhibitor, Bowman-Birk Soybean
• Cyproterone Acetate
• Methylnitrosourea
• Testosterone Propionate

Topics

• Animals
• Anticarcinogenic Agents (pharmacology)
• Chemoprevention
• Cyproterone Acetate (toxicity)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Synergism
• Humans
• Isoflavones (pharmacology)
• Male
• Methylnitrosourea (toxicity)
• Prostatic Neoplasms (prevention & control)
• Random Allocation
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Testosterone Propionate (toxicity)
• Time Factors
• Trypsin Inhibitor, Bowman-Birk Soybean (pharmacology)