Modulation of CYP19 expression by cabbage juices and their active components: indole-3-carbinol and 3,3'-diindolylmethene in human breast epithelial cell lines.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
In vitro bench research using human breast cell lines.
PubMed 23090135 · doi:10.1007/s00394-012-0455-9
What was done
Human breast cell lines representing different phenotypes—MCF10A (nontumorigenic/immortalized), MCF7 (estrogen-dependent cancer), and MDA-MB-231 (estrogen-independent cancer)—were treated with white cabbage juice, sauerkraut juice (2.5–25 mL/L), indole-3-carbinol (I3C), or 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) (2.5–50 μM). The authors measured CYP19 (aromatase) mRNA via real-time PCR, protein levels via Western blot, and apoptosis.
What was found
In nontumorigenic MCF10A cells, lower doses of cabbage juices reduced aromatase expression (0.25- to 0.86-fold change, P < 0.05), and juice from industrially farmed cabbage was associated with increased apoptosis (1.7- to 1.8-fold change, P < 0.01). In MCF7 cancer cells, pure I3C and DIM reduced aromatase expression (0.24- to 0.82-fold change, P < 0.05), whereas whole cabbage juices increased aromatase expression (1.1- to 2.2-fold change, P < 0.05). In MDA-MB-231 cells, I3C and DIM upregulated CYP19 expression (1.5- to 2.0-fold change, P < 0.05).
Why it matters
These findings propose a potential biological mechanism (aromatase modulation) to help explain observational links between cruciferous vegetable intake and reduced breast cancer risk.
Limits
This is entirely an in vitro study on cell culture models and cannot establish clinical efficacy or safety in humans. In vitro concentrations may not match physiological bioavailability or tissue levels achieved through dietary intake. Furthermore, the direction of aromatase modulation varied markedly between isolated indoles and whole juices, as well as across cell lines, complicating any straightforward translational conclusion.
Cited by
- context Diindolylmethane (DIM) derived from cruciferous vegetables acts as a natural aromatase inhibitor.