NEWS: Food: Broccoli, Cauliflower Sprouts Potent Against Cancer

[janet paterson <paterson@xxxxxx>]

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Broccoli, Cauliflower Sprouts Potently Induce Anticarcinogen Enzymes
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WESTPORT, Sep 16 (Reuters) - Young sprouts of broccoli and cauliflower are
much richer sources than the mature vegetables of compounds that induce
enzymes that protect against cancer, according to a paper published today
in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Dr. Jed W. Fahey and colleagues at The Johns Hopkins University School of
Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, explain that cruciferous vegetables, and
in particular, broccoli and cauliflower, "...contain substantial quantities
of isothiocyanates (mostly in the form of their glucosinolate precursors)."

They explain further that some of these compounds are potent enhancers of
phase 2 enzymes, which speed the detoxication of electrophiles and reactive
oxygen metabolites.
Therefore, they say, induction of phase 2 enzymes by these compounds can
"...protect cells against mutagenesis and neoplasia."

"Unexpectedly," the investigators found, "3-day-old sprouts of...certain
crucifers including broccoli and cauliflower contain 10-100 times higher
levels of [glucophoranin, a glucosinolate] than do the corresponding mature
plants."

The researchers extracted glucosinolates and isothiocyanates from the
plants and administered them to rats that had been treated with the
carcinogen dimethylbenz(a)anthracene.

The extracts "...were highly effective in reducing the incidence,
multiplicity, and rate of development of...tumors," according to Dr. Fahey
and his team.

"[The] differences in glucosinolate profiles between young sprouts and
mature broccoli are of considerable interest and potential importance in
devising chemoprotective strategies in humans," the investigators comment.

"...Large quantities of enzymes that protect against carcinogens can be
delivered in the diet by small quantities of young crucifer sprouts...that
contain as much inducer activity as 10-100 times larger quantities of
mature vegetables."


Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1997;94:10367-10372.
Copyright 1997 Reuters Limited.
<http://www.reutershealth.com/news/docs/199709/19970916scc.html>
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