phytoestrogens and pinoresinol

Consumption of virgin olive oil (VOO) has been associated with a low breast cancer incidence. Pinoresinol is a phytoestrogen that is typically found in VOO. Considering the role of oestrogen in breast cancer development and progression, we investigated the potential antitumor activity of pinoresinol in breast cancer cells.. To address this question, we treated MDA-MB-231 (oestrogen receptor [ER] negative) and MCF7 (ER+) human breast tumour cells and MCF10A human mammary epithelial cells (ER-) with different concentrations of pinoresinol. The cytotoxic activity, cell proliferation, cell cycle profile, apoptosis induction, reactive oxygen species production and DNA damage were assessed.. Pinoresinol showed cytotoxic, anti-proliferative and pro-oxidant activity in human breast tumour cells, independent of their oestrogen receptor status. In addition, pinoresinol exerted antioxidant activity and prevented DNA damage associated with oxidative stress in human mammary epithelial cells.. Overall, the results suggest that pinoresinol may have antitumor activity in human breast cancer cells independently of oestrogen receptor status. Furthermore, the results show that the pinoresinol has the typical characteristics of a chemopreventive compound.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Apoptosis; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Cycle; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Furans; Humans; Lignans; Olive Oil; Phytoestrogens; Receptors, Estrogen

Higher intake of lignans, diphenolic plant compounds, may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. We assessed the dietary intake of four lignans: matairesinol, secoisolariciresinol, lariciresinol and pinoresinol. Furthermore, for the breads we supplemented the data with two more lignans: syringaresinol and medioresinol. Study subjects were 172 men and 97 women aged 40-75 years, residing in Riga, the capital of Latvia, all living at home, eating habitual food. Median total lignan intake was 2259 (range 1169-5759) μg/day. Secoisolariciresinol contributed 58% and syringaresinol 22% of lignan intake. Bread was the major food source of lignans in men (86%), whereas in women it was bread (57%) and flaxseed (35%).

Topics: Adult; Aged; Bread; Butylene Glycols; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diet; Feeding Behavior; Female; Flax; Furans; Humans; Latvia; Lignans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Phenols; Phytoestrogens; Plant Extracts; Sex Factors

It has been suggested that lignan intake may decrease the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) by modifying traditional risk factors as well as aortic stiffness. However, the role of dietary lignans on the vascular system is largely unknown. The objective was to investigate whether dietary intake of plant lignans in a free-living population was associated with markers of vascular inflammation and function.. We performed a cross-sectional study in 242 (151 males) men and post-menopausal women. Anthropometric characteristics and lignan intake were evaluated. Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), insulin, high-sensitive C-reactive protein, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerols were measured in fasting blood samples. Brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) measurements were available for 101 subjects (56 males). Median (interquartile range) daily intake of matairesinol (MAT), secoisolariciresinol (SECO), pinoresinol (PINO), lariciresinol (LARI), and total lignans was 20.9 microg (17.4), 335.3 microg (289.1), 96.7 microg (91.1), 175.7 microg (135.8), and 665.5 microg (413.7), respectively, as assessed by 3-day weighed food record. Plasma concentrations of sICAM-1 (whole sample) significantly decreased (mean (95%CI) = 358 microg/L (320-401), 276 microg/L (252-303), 298 microg/L (271-326), and 269 microg/L (239-303), P per trend 0.013) and FMD values (FMD sub-group) significantly increased (4.1% (2.2-6.0), 5.7% (4.3-7.2), 6.4% (4.9-7.8), and 8.1% (6.3-10.0), P per trend 0.016) across quartiles of energy-adjusted MAT intake, even after adjustment for relevant clinical and dietary variables. Intake of SECO was also inversely related to plasma sICAM-1 (P per trend 0.018), but not to FMD values. No relationship between intake of PINO, LARI or total lignans and either sICAM-1 or FMD values was observed.. Higher MAT intakes in the context of a typical Northern Italian diet are associated to lower vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, which could have some implications in CVD prevention.

Topics: Aged; Biomarkers; Butylene Glycols; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet; Diet Records; Diet, Mediterranean; Endothelium, Vascular; Female; Furans; Hemodynamics; Humans; Inflammation; Italy; Lignans; Male; Middle Aged; Phytoestrogens; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vascular Diseases