Effects of sulforaphane on breast cancer based on metabolome and microbiome

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Metabolomics
• Microbiome research

Background:

• Phytochemicals like sulforaphane (SFN) show potential antitumor activities.
• Understanding SFN's impact on breast cancer metabolome and microbiome is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of SFN on breast cancer using metabolomic and microbiome analyses.
• To elucidate the mechanisms behind SFN's antitumor activities.

Main Methods:

• MCF-7 breast cancer cells were transplanted into nude mice.
• Mice were treated with 50 mg/kg SFN.
• Urinary metabolic profiles, tumor tissue, and gut microbiome were analyzed.

Main Results:

• SFN inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation.
• SFN altered urinary metabolites, including increased sulfate and glutathione metabolites, and decreased tryptophan and methyl-purine metabolites.
• SFN modulated the gut microbiome, decreasing *Desulfovibrio* and increasing *Lactobacillus*.
• SFN decreased the SAM/methionine ratio, leading to downregulated global DNA methylation in tumors.
• SFN indirectly affected aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation via tryptophan metabolism.

Conclusions:

• SFN exhibits antitumor activity against breast cancer.
• Metabolomic and microbiome alterations are key mechanisms underlying SFN's effects.
• SFN influences DNA methylation and tryptophan metabolism, providing a comprehensive view of its therapeutic potential.