Brassica, biotransformation and cancer risk: genetic polymorphisms alter the preventive effects of cruciferous vegetables.

Abstract

The chemoprotective effect of cruciferous vegetables is due to their high glucosinolate content and the capacity of glucosinolate metabolites, such as isothiocyanates (ITC) and indoles, to modulate biotransformation enzyme systems (e.g., cytochromes P450 and conjugating enzymes). Data from molecular epidemiologic studies suggest that genetic and associated functional variations in biotransformation enzymes, particularly glutathione S-transferase (GST)M1 and GSTT1, which metabolize ITC, alter cancer risk in response to cruciferous vegetable exposure. Moreover, genetic polymorphisms in receptors and transcription factors that interact with these compounds may further contribute to variation in response to cruciferous vegetable intake. This review outlines the metabolism and mechanisms of action of cruciferous vegetable constituents, discusses the recent human studies testing effects of cruciferous vegetables on biotransformation systems and summarizes the epidemiologic and experimental evidence for an effect of genetic polymorphisms in these enzymes on response to cruciferous vegetable intake. Taken together, genetic differences in biotransformation enzymes and the factors that regulate them, as well as variation in glucosinolate content of cruciferous vegetables and the methods used to prepare these foods underscore the multiple layers of complexity that affect the study of gene-diet interactions and cancer risk in humans.

• Authors: Johanna W Lampe, Sabrina Peterson
• Journal: The Journal of nutrition (J Nutr) Vol. 132 Issue 10 Pg. 2991-4 (Oct 2002) ISSN: 0022-3166 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12368383 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Review)

Chemical References

• Glucosinolates
• Isothiocyanates
• Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
• Glutathione Transferase

Topics

• Biotransformation
• Brassica (metabolism)
• Cooking (methods)
• Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System (genetics, metabolism)
• Epidemiologic Studies
• Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic (genetics)
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic (genetics)
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease
• Glucosinolates (metabolism)
• Glutathione Transferase (genetics, metabolism)
• Humans
• Isothiocyanates (metabolism)
• Neoplasms (enzymology, genetics, prevention & control)
• Polymorphism, Genetic
• Risk Factors