Control of Redox Homeostasis by Short-Chain Fatty Acids: Implications for the Prevention and Treatment of Breast...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Breast cancer is a leading global cause of death in women, with aggressive subtypes resisting conventional treatments.
• Oxidative stress is implicated in cancer development and progression, driving interest in therapies targeting cellular redox homeostasis.
• Dietary phytochemicals like flavonoids and polyphenols possess antioxidant and anti-cancer properties, but the role of SCFAs is gaining attention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the antioxidant properties of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).
• To explore the impact of SCFAs on breast cancer development and treatment.
• To highlight the role of SCFAs in modulating redox signaling and gut microbiota.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on SCFAs, oxidative stress, and breast cancer.
• Analysis of studies investigating SCFA mechanisms, including Nrf2-Keap1 signaling and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition.
• Examination of the influence of SCFAs on intestinal microbiota composition and its relevance to cancer.

Main Results:

• SCFAs, particularly butyrate, exhibit significant antioxidant properties.
• SCFAs modulate key redox signaling pathways, such as Nrf2-Keap1, and influence epigenetic regulation via HDAC inhibition.
• Dietary and pharmacological interventions with SCFAs alter gut microbiota, impacting cancer prevention and treatment outcomes.

Conclusions:

• SCFAs possess potent antioxidant activities relevant to cancer therapy.
• The redox signaling modulation and gut microbiota effects of SCFAs present a promising strategy for breast cancer management.
• Further research into SCFAs offers potential for novel nutritional and pharmacological interventions against breast cancer.