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I3C shown to inhibit breast cancer cell growth "Estrogen" is a term that is used to collectively describe
the female hormones estradiol, estrone, and estriol. Under normal conditions,
estrogen is metabolized and excreted by the body. Excretion yields three
metabolites with varying biological activity-2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE),
16-OHE, or 4-OHE. The 2-OHE metabolite is generally termed the "good" estrogen
because it generates very weak (and therefore potentially less harmful)
estrogenic activity in the body. In contrast, the 16-OHE and 4-OHE metabolites
generate potent estrogenic activity and may promote dangerous tissue growth. Studies have shown that women who metabolize a larger proportion of their
estrogen into the 16-OHE metabolite may be at greater risk of developing
breast cancer. Therefore, shifting the estrogen metabolite balance towards
the 2-OHE metabolite may prove very beneficial in improving a variety
of conditions related to elevated or imbalanced estrogen levels. Indole-3-carbinol
(I3C) is a naturally occurring
compound derived from cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels
sprouts, and cabbage that actively promotes the breakdown of estrogen
to the beneficial metabolite, 2-OHE. In order to determine the role of
I3C
in breast cancer prevention, researchers exposed human breast cancer
cells to varying levels of I3C
and examined the effects on 2-OHE production. Results showed that I3C
promoted production of the 2-OHE metabolite while simultaneously inhibiting
the growth of cancer cells. Dr. Tiwari and colleagues concluded in the
Journal of the National Cancer Institute that "I3C
has specific antigrowth effects in human breast cancer cells." SOURCE: J Natl Cancer Inst 1994;86(2):126-31. |