Can Cruciferous Vegetables Alter the Genotoxicity of Heterocyclic Amines Following Human Consumption of Cooked Meat?

This research project investigates the effects of cruciferous vegetables upon the metabolism of potentially harmful genotoxins present in cooked meat.

<p>This project aimed to investigate effects of cruciferous vegetables on heterocyclic amine metabolism and excretion in humans.

<p>This involved carrying out a dietary intervention study that compared the metabolism of heterocyclic amines from a burger meal in individuals consuming cruciferous vegetables with those that did not eat cruciferous vegetables. This was carried out so that each volunteer participated in both regimes.

<p>Several assays were developed to examine the effect of supplementing the diet with a known quantity of cruciferous vegetables. These included:<ul>

<li>An examination of the effects of cruciferous vegetable supplementation on the enzymes involved in the metabolism of heterocyclic amines.

<li>An examination of the effects of cruciferous vegetable supplementation on urinary excretion of PhIP.

<li>The development of an assay to quantify the major PhIP metabolite in urine.

<li>An analysis of the formation of PhIP DNA adducts and their excretion following excision and DNA repair.

<li>The development of a robust antibody assay for the detection of DNA-PhIP adducts.
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<p>In addition the project included a limited study with resveratrol, a plant chemical found in grapes and various berries, which is reported to be chemoprotective. This included:<ul>

<li>An evaluation of whether resveratrol can alter the frequency of PhIP induced DNA mutations in vivo.

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