Modulation of estrogen metabolism by broccoli: mechanistic investigation of cancer prevention (1045.45)

Abstract

Modulation of Estrogen Metabolism by Broccoli: Mechanistic Investigation of Cancer Prevention Nilesh W. Gaikwad, Heidi R. Kucera, Deborah, Olivera, Taka Shibamoto Departments of Nutrition and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA Broccoli is commonly used as a popular vegetable in the human diet. Recently, broccoli sprouts have also received much attention because of their different bioactive constituents from mature broccoli. They are reported to be more effective in the prevention of carcinogenesis by reactive oxygen species than broccoli. However, very little information on their biological activities such as, antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anticancer, of broccoli sprouts, are available. Moreover, there are no reports on the antioxidant activity of the volatile compounds from broccoli sprouts. We hypothesize that bioactive compound(s) from broccoli sprouts could modulate estrogen metabolism towards non carcinogenic pathways resulting in a significant preventive effect. Present evidence shows the involvement of estrogens in carcinogenic processes within estrogen‐responsive tissues including the breast, endometrium and ovaries. Epidemiologic studies have indicated that breast cancer risk is higher in women with early menarche and late menopause, who have longer lifetime exposure to estrogens. Obese postmenopausal women have higher serum concentrations of free estrogen and are at greater risk of breast cancer. Gathering data suggests metabolism of estrogens to methides as well as catechol‐o‐quinones play a major role in estrogen carcinogenesis. To test our hypothesis, we have treated the MCF 10A cells with estrogens and broccoli sprout extract and using recently developed mass spectrometry based metabolomic platform we investigated the molecular mechanisms which leads to alteration of estrogen metabolic pathways.Grant Funding Source: NA