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Effect of food products on endogenous generation of N-nitrosamines in rats
V K Atanasova-Goranova1, P I Dimova, G T Pevicharova
1Department of Hygiene and Ecological Medicine, Higher Medical Institute, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Abstract:
An experiment was conducted to study the efficacy of two tomato pastes and aronia nectar (fruit juice + pulp from the black chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa Elliot) as inhibitors of nitrosamine production in cancer prophylaxis programmes. White male rats of the Wistar strain were employed in an acute trial. Aminopyrin+sodium nitrite (APSN) were used as precursors for generation of endogenous nitrosamine. The animals were allocated to different dietary groups and fed by intubation with APSN or APSN + food products. Introduction of tomato paste (TP), high-beta-carotene tomato paste (HCTP) and aronia nectar (AN) as inhibitors of N-nitrosamine formation exerted a positive effect on blood and liver variables which was demonstrated by decreased concentrations of glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (EC 2.6.1.1), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (EC 2.6.1.2) and uric acid in serum and lipid content in hepatocytes. Animals treated with APSN developed dystrophic changes in liver such as centrolobular necrosis, intense exangia, and enlarged cells with two, often large, pyknotic nuclei, while the structure of livers of rats fed with TP, HCTP or AN was well protected and almost normal. TP had a particularly beneficial effect on serum total protein and albumin concentrations as had AN on the urea value. The inhibitory effect of the food products used is explained by their chemical nature including pH, ascorbic index (ascorbate:nitrate), lycopene and beta-carotene contents.
Insights
Tomato paste and aronia nectar effectively inhibit nitrosamine formation in rats, protecting liver health and reducing harmful biomarkers. These natural products show promise for cancer prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Nitrosamines are potent carcinogens linked to various cancers.
- Endogenous nitrosamine formation can be influenced by diet and lifestyle.
- Cancer prophylaxis programs seek effective dietary inhibitors of nitrosamine production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of tomato paste (TP) and aronia nectar (AN) as inhibitors of endogenous nitrosamine formation.
- To assess the protective effects of TP and AN on liver and blood parameters in rats exposed to nitrosamine precursors.
- To investigate the impact of high-beta-carotene tomato paste (HCTP) on nitrosamine inhibition.
Main Methods:
- An acute trial using Wistar rats exposed to aminopyrine+sodium nitrite (APSN) as nitrosamine precursors.
- Dietary administration of APSN alone or with TP, HCTP, or AN via intubation.
- Analysis of serum biochemical markers (transaminases, uric acid, total protein, albumin, urea) and liver lipid content.
- Histopathological examination of rat livers to assess tissue damage.
Main Results:
- TP, HCTP, and AN significantly reduced serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, and uric acid levels.
- Hepatocyte lipid content was decreased in animals treated with TP, HCTP, and AN.
- Rats receiving APSN showed liver damage (necrosis, cell enlargement), which was prevented by TP, HCTP, and AN.
- TP improved serum total protein and albumin, while AN positively affected urea levels.
Conclusions:
- Tomato paste and aronia nectar demonstrate significant inhibitory effects on endogenous nitrosamine formation.
- These food products offer protective benefits against nitrosamine-induced liver damage.
- The chemical composition, including lycopene, beta-carotene, and ascorbic index, likely contributes to the observed inhibitory effects.