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Cancer-preventive isothiocyanates: dichotomous modulators of oxidative stress

Yuesheng Zhang1, Jun Li, Li Tang

  • 1Department of Chemoprevention, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA. yuesheng.zhang@roswellpark.org

Free Radical Biology & Medicine
|December 14, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Isothiocyanates (ITCs) show dual effects on oxidative stress, initially causing harm but ultimately boosting cellular defenses. This stress response is key to their cancer-preventive properties.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Isothiocyanates (ITCs) are phytochemicals with demonstrated cancer-preventive potential.
  • ITCs exhibit a complex, dual role in regulating cellular oxidative stress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the paradoxical effects of ITCs on cellular oxidative stress.
  • To understand how ITC-induced stress contributes to chemoprotection.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated the transcriptional regulation of antioxidative enzymes by ITCs.
  • Assessed the direct impact of ITCs on cellular thiols and mitochondrial function.
  • Monitored reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels following ITC exposure.

Main Results:

  • ITCs acutely increase cellular stress by depleting thiols and damaging mitochondria.
  • A delayed, sustained increase in cellular protection against oxidants and carcinogens follows initial stress.
  • ITC-induced stress response is identified as a primary mechanism for their chemoprotective activity.

Conclusions:

  • The chemoprotective effects of ITCs are largely derived from the cellular response to the stress they induce.
  • Understanding this stress-mediated protection is crucial for leveraging ITCs in cancer prevention strategies.

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