Diallyl sulfide inhibits PhIP-induced DNA strand breaks in normal human breast epithelial cells.

Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are formed when meat products such as beef, chicken, pork and fish are cooked at high temperatures. The most abundant HCA found in the human diet is 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b] pyridine (PhIP). PhIP causes mammary carcinomas in female rats and mice, and is associated with an increased risk of developing colon, breast, and prostate cancer in humans. PhIP is metabolized by cytochrome P-450s producing N-OH-PhIP. The N-OH-PhIP can be esterified by phase II enzymes forming an arylnitrenium ion that binds to DNA causing adducts. Furthermore, N-OH-PhIP may be reduced by cytochrome b5 reductase producing superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals causing DNA strand breaks. Diallyl sulfide (DAS) has been shown to prevent cancer in several animal models, presumably by metabolic modulation. We hypothesize that PhIP produces reactive oxygen species causing DNA strand breaks and that DAS will inhibit the formation of PhIP induced DNA strand breaks. To test this hypothesis we treated normal breast epithelial (MCF-10A) cells with PhIP, DAS and a combination of PhIP and DAS. The detection of lipid peroxides was used as a surrogate for ROS. Lipid peroxides were detected using a PeroxiDetect kit (Sigma). PhIP increased the production of lipid peroxides and DAS decreased the PhIP-induced peroxidation by 47%. To determine if PhIP causes DNA strand breaks in MCF-10A cells, cells were treated for 3, 6, 9, and 24 h with PhIP (100 microM), DAS (100 microM) and a combination of PhIP (100 microM) and DAS (100 microM). DNA strand breaks were evaluated using the Comet assay. PhIP produced DNA strand breaks in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. We have shown that DAS inhibits PhIP-induced DNA strand breaks by inhibiting the production of reactive oxygen species. Therefore, we propose that DAS can prevent PhIP-induced breast cancer.

Diallyl sulfide induces the expression of estrogen metabolizing genes in the presence and/or absence of diethylstilbestrol in the breast of female ACI rats.

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) induces mammary tumors in female ACI rats and is associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer in humans. Diallyl sulfide (DAS) has been shown to prevent cancer in animals. Previously, we have shown that DAS inhibits the production of DES induced DNA adducts when given prior to DES. We hypothesize that DAS alters the expression of genes responsible for DES metabolism. To test this hypothesis, four groups of 10 female ACI rats were treated daily for four days as follows: (1) corn oil, (2) 50mg/kg DES, (3) 50mg/kg DAS, and (4) 50mg/kg DAS+50mg/kg DES. RNA was isolated from breast tissue and mRNA levels of CYP1A1, CYP1B1, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were analyzed by real-time PCR. DES, DAS, and DES/DAS treatments increased the expression of CYP1A1 by 2.1-, 4.7-, and 12.7-fold, respectively. Similar results were seen for CYP1B1. DES decreased the expression of GST by 23%, whereas DAS and DAS/DES treatments increased the expression of GST by 12- and 16.7-fold, respectively. Similar results were seen with SOD. These results suggests that DAS may prevent the formation of DES induced DNA damage by altering the expression of DES metabolizing genes.

Diallyl sulfide induces the expression of nucleotide excision repair enzymes in the breast of female ACI rats.

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) causes DNA adducts resulting in breast cancer, whereas diallyl sulfide (DAS) inhibits cancer formation. We hypothesize that DAS induces the expression of nucleotide excision repair genes. To test this hypothesis, female ACI rats were treated for 4 days with corn oil, DES, DAS, and DAS/DES (50mg/kg). The expression of P53, Gadd45a, PCNA, and DNA polymerase delta was analyzed by real-time PCR. DES decreased the expression of P53, Gadd45a and PCNA. DAS and DAS/DES increased the expression of all four genes. These results suggest that DAS enhances the ability of breast tissue to repair DNA damage thus preventing cancer.