| ABSTRACT: |
|
Dietary inhibitors of mutagenesis and carcinogenesis are of particular
interest because they may be useful for human cancer prevention. Several
mutagenesis inhibitors have been demonstrated to be carcinogenesis
inhibitors also, e.g., ellagic acid, palmitoleic acid, and
N-acetylcysteine. This means that the search for mutagenesis inhibitors
may be useful for discovering anticarcinogenic agents. Many mutagenesis
inhibitors have been discovered by the use of short-term assays,
particularly the Ames Salmonella test. This simple in vitro system has
provided opportunities to elucidate the mechanisms of inhibition. The
elucidation of the mechanism may allow us to infer the possible
anticarcinogenic activity of the reagent. In this chapter, inhibitors of
mutagenesis and carcinogenesis that can arise as components of diet have
been reviewed. Most of the inhibitors have been demonstrated to be
effective against a specific class of mutagens or carcinogens. Therefore,
it may be argued that these inhibitors are antagonistic only to those
particular agents. Here again, understanding of the mechanisms of these
inhibitions is necessary for the assessment. Dietary inhibitors reviewed
in this article include: (1) as inhibitors of mutagenesis: porphyllins,
fatty acids, vitamins, polyphenols, and sulfhydryl compounds, (2) as
inhibitors of carcinogenesis: vitamins A, E and C, ellagic acid,
sulfhydryl compounds, fats, selenium, calcium, and fiber. Further studies
in this area of science appear to help establish the recipe of a healthy
diet. |