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Effect of miso (Japanese soybean paste) and NaCl on DMBA-induced rat mammary tumors
J E Baggott1, T Ha, W H Vaughn
1Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294.
Abstract:
An AIN-76A diet supplemented with miso (Japanese soybean paste) reduced the incidence (p = 0.05, Fishers exact test) and delayed the appearance (p = 0.04, log rank test) of dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary adenocarcinomas in female Sprague-Dawley rats. A NaCl-supplemented AIN-76A diet (containing the same amount of NaCl as in the miso-supplemented diet) also delayed the appearance of tumors (p = 0.02, log rank test) compared with the AIN-76A control diet. The miso- and NaCl-supplemented diet treatment groups showed a trend toward a lower number of cancers per animal, a trend toward a higher number of benign tumors per animal, and a trend toward a lower growth rate of cancers compared with controls. However, no statistical differences in the total number of tumors per animal or growth rate of the cancers were observed in the miso, NaCl, and control groups. Both miso and NaCl supplementation resulted in increased water intake and urine output but no change in the growth of the animals. These data suggest that miso consumption may be a factor producing a lower breast cancer incidence in Japanese women.
Insights
Miso consumption, a Japanese soybean paste, significantly reduced the incidence and delayed the appearance of mammary tumors in rats. This suggests a potential dietary factor for lower breast cancer rates in women.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nutrition Science
- Animal Studies
Background:
- Dietary factors play a crucial role in cancer development.
- Japanese diets, often rich in fermented foods like miso, are associated with lower cancer incidence.
- Understanding the impact of specific dietary components on carcinogenesis is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of miso supplementation on mammary tumor development.
- To compare the effects of miso and sodium chloride (NaCl) on chemically induced mammary adenocarcinomas.
- To explore the potential of dietary miso as a preventive measure against breast cancer.
Main Methods:
- Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed an AIN-76A diet.
- Diets were supplemented with either miso or NaCl at levels comparable to miso.
- Mammary adenocarcinomas were induced using dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA).
- Tumor incidence, appearance, number, and growth rate were monitored.
Main Results:
- Miso-supplemented diet significantly reduced mammary adenocarcinoma incidence (p = 0.05) and delayed tumor appearance (p = 0.04).
- NaCl-supplemented diet also delayed tumor appearance (p = 0.02) compared to controls.
- Both miso and NaCl increased water intake and urine output without affecting animal growth.
- Trends for fewer cancers, more benign tumors, and slower cancer growth were observed in supplemented groups, but without statistical significance for total tumors or cancer growth rate.
Conclusions:
- Miso consumption may contribute to a lower incidence of breast cancer.
- The effects observed with miso might be partly attributed to its NaCl content.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms by which miso influences mammary carcinogenesis.