Isoflavonoids and fish oil may be protective against colorectal cancer, but the evidence in relation to breast cancer risk is ambiguous. In the present study, we have investigated the impact of soya-derived isoflavonoids andn-3 fatty acids from fish oil, both individually and in combination, on apoptosis, cell proliferation and oestrogen receptor (ER) expression in the colon and mammary gland of the rat. Female rats were fed diets high inn-3 fatty acids (80 g/kg diet) or soya protein (765 mg/kg diet isoflavones) for 2 weeks, and then killed before the removal of the colon and mammary glands. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were quantified morphologically in whole crypts and terminal end buds. The expressions ofERαandERβwere measured in colon tissue scrapes and the mammary gland. Fish oil significantly increased apoptosis and decreased mitosis in both tissues, an effect associated with a decrease in the expressions ofERα andERβ. Soya had no effect on apoptosis in either tissue, but reduced mitosis in the colon (P < 0·001) while increasing it in the mammary gland (P = 0·001). The changes in proliferation were associated with contrasting changes in theERexpression such that fish oil significantly decreased bothERβandERα, while soya increasedERαand decreasedERβ. The results may provide a novel mechanism by whichn-3 fatty acids could reduce cancer risk, but the interpretation of the results in relation to soya consumption and breast cancer risk requires further investigation.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of in utero administration of coumestrol, equol, and selenium-enriched yeast on selected hepatic phase 2 enzymes, plasma hormone levels, and markers for redox status in plasma and red blood cells (RBCs). The test compounds were administered via the diet to pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats throughout gestation. Within 24 h following delivery dams and offspring were sacrificed, and blood, liver, and reproductive organs were sampled. Coumestrol, equol, and selenium-enriched yeast did not significantly affect hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST), quinone reductase (QR), or RBC glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the offspring, whereas significant increases in GST, QR, and GPx activities in dams were observed following administration of selenium-enriched yeast. The level of 17beta-estradiol in offspring from coumestrol-exposed dams was significantly increased compared with the control. The present results indicate that selenium-enriched yeast, coumestrol, and equol affect selected hepatic phase 2 enzymes and GPx in RBC in dams, whereas the offspring in general were refractive to the employed treatments. Further studies are warranted to investigate whether the observed in utero effects imposed by the selected plant compounds confer permanent alterations on the health status of the animal resulting in an altered resistance to cancer.
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