Dietary phytochemical consumption is inversely associated with liver alkaline phosphatase in Middle Eastern adults

BACKGROUND The hepatoprotective effects of phytochemicals are controversial.A dietary phytochemical index(DPI)has been suggested as an alternative method for quantifying the phytochemical content of foods.AIM To assess the DPI in relation to liver function tests among a representative sample of Iranian adults.METHODS A total of 5111 participants aged 35-70 years old were included in this cross-sectional study by a multistage cluster random sampling method.Dietary intakes were collected by a validated and reliable food frequency questionnaire with 121 items.DPI was calculated by the percent of daily energy intake taken from phytochemical-rich foods.Fasting serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alkaline phosphatase(ALP)and gamma glutamyl transferase(GGT)were determined.Linear regression was used to investigate the association between DPI and levels of liver enzymes using crude and adjusted models.RESULTS There was an inverse association between DPI score and serum ALP in the crude model(β=-0.05;P<0.001).This association remained significant after adjustment for body mass index,age,smoking,energy intake,history of diabetes,and education(β=-0.03;P=0.01).No significant associations were found between DPI score and serum levels of AST,ALT,and GGT.The individuals with the highest DPI scores consumed significantly higher amounts of fruits,vegetables,legumes,nuts,and cereals,yet were shown to have significantly higher serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,as well as several other metabolic abnormalities.CONCLUSION Higher adherence to phytochemical-rich foods was associated with lower levels of ALP,but no change in other liver enzymes.Those with higher DPI scores also consumed food items associated with a healthier overall dietary pattern;however,they also presented several unexpected metabolic derangements.Additional randomised trials are needed to better determine the effects of phytochemical-rich foods on liver function.

Natural products for cancer prevention associated with Nrf2–ARE pathway

Cancer chemoprevention involves the application of natural or synthetic compounds to reduce the risk of cancer development.One of the most effective strategies for preventing human cancers might involve inducing phase II detoxifying enzymes and antioxidant enzymes via natural dietary compounds.The regulatory regions of these inducible genes encode the antioxidant response element(ARE).Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2),as a transcription factor,plays a key role in the expression of ARE-mediated genes.Similarly,Nrf2 performs an essential function in the up-regulation of these genes in response to oxidative stress and treatment with dietary phytochemicals.In this article,we discuss the current state of knowledge regarding the Nrf2/ARE pathway as a potential molecular target for cancer chemoprevention and its molecular regulation mechanisms,and highlight Nrf2/ARE inducers derived from natural products,which may be used as chemopreventive agents for cancer patients.©2013 Beijing Academy of Food Sciences.Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.All rights reserved.