The effects of
3-hydroxy-4-methoxycinnamic acid (3H4MCA) and
3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid (3,4DMCA) on
body weight, organ weight, and the contents of
putrescine,
spermidine and
spermine in 15 different tissues were examined in rats that had been given these compounds for 5 days. In 3H4MCA-treated rats, the weight of the spleen was significantly increased, while none of the other organs showed any significant changes. A diet containing either 3H4MCA or 3,4DMCA should not be taken by patients bearing
cancers in the seminal vesicles, spleen or liver, and a diet containing 3,4DMCA should not be taken by patients bearing
cancers in the testis, kidney, muscle, small intestine or brain (cortex) because of the significant increases in
polyamines, which are associated with a risk of
cancer growth, in these tissues. However, a diet containing 3H4MCA is recommended for the management of
cancers in the skeletal muscle (femoral), tongue, small intestine (jejunum), stomach, lung and brain based on reductions in
polyamines which stimulate
tumor growth. A diet containing 3,4DMCA is also recommended for
cancer in the prostate, thymus and stomach for the same reason. In addition, a synergic
therapeutic effect for the treatment of
cancers in these tissues may be anticipated by a combination of such a diet with anti-
cancer drugs which reduce
polyamine levels. The
metastasis of
cancers in these tissues may also be inhibited by the reduction of
polyamines by these
acids. The ratio of
spermidine to
spermine was significantly higher in the lung of 3H4MCA-treated rats, and lower in the seminal vesicle, thymus, kidney, heart, tongue, stomach and lung of 3,4DMCA-treated rats, than in control rats. The present experiment indicated that
cancer patients should pay careful attention to endogenous
polyamines in tissues bearing
tumors induced by chemicals in ingesta and anti-
cancer drugs, in addition to exogenous
polyamines.