Pomegranates Stop Progression of Prostate Cancer Cells
Researchers have found that pomegranate fruit extract (PFE) inhibited prostate cancer cell growth and triggered cell death in a highly aggressive human prostate cancer cell line and caused similar effects when administered to rodents.
Because prostate cancer is typically diagnosed in men over 50 years of age, it is an ideal candidate for chemoprevention because even a modest delay in disease progression achieved through pharmacological or nutritional intervention could significantly impact the quality of life of prostate cancer patients. Consequently, the researchers of the current study as well as other scientists have proposed the use of dietary antioxidants as possible chemopreventive agents.
The pomegranate fruit, derived from the tree Punica granatum, has been shown to possess strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In a recent study, researchers showed that pomegranate fruit extract inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis (programmed cell death) in a highly aggressive human prostate cancer cell line.
The same researchers followed up their cell culture experiment with a study that tested the oral administration of a human acceptable dose of pomegranate fruit extract on mice implanted with prostate cancer cells. In mice treated with pomegranate fruit extract there was a significant inhibition of tumor growth. In addition, pomegranate fruit also reduced secretion of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the serum of the animals.
According to the scientists, “The outcome of this study could have a direct practical implication and translational relevance to prostate cancer patients, because it suggests that pomegranate consumption may retard prostate cancer progression, which may prolong the survival and quality of life of the patients.”
Reference
Malik A, Mukhtar H. Prostate Cancer Prevention Through Pomegranate Fruit. Cell Cycle. 2006 Feb 15;5(4) [Epub ahead of print]
Pomegranate extract is found in VRP’s C-Mend.
Vitamin C Intake Associated with Healthy Levels of Inflammatory Markers
Plasma vitamin C levels and dietary intake of vitamin C were associated with reduced levels of various markers of inflammation, researchers have found.
In older men free of heart disease, the investigators examined the associations between dietary and plasma vitamin C concentrations, fruit and vegetable intakes, and markers of inflammation and blood coagulation associated with cardiovascular disease.
The study examined 3,258 men aged 60-79 years old with no physician diagnosis of myocardial infarction, stroke, or diabetes and who were drawn from general practices in 24 British towns. Fruit and vegetable intakes and dietary vitamin C were assessed by using a food-frequency questionnaire.
Subjects who had the highest concentrations of plasma vitamin C, fruit intake, and dietary vitamin C intake had significantly lower mean concentrations of C-reactive protein, an inflammatory marker associated with heart disease and cancer. Subjects with the highest vitamin C levels, fruit intake, and dietary vitamin C intake also had significantly lower levels of tissue plasminogen activator antigen, a marker of endothelial dysfunction. High vitamin C blood levels were associated with a 45 percent reduced risk of CRP-caused inflammation. High fruit intake resulted in a 25 percent reduced risk of inflammation.
High plasma (but not dietary) vitamin C levels also were associated with lower fibrinogen concentrations and reduced blood viscosity.
The study authors concluded, "The findings suggest that vitamin C has anti-inflammatory effects and is associated with lower endothelial dysfunction in men with no history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes."
Reference
Wannamethee SG, Lowe GD, Rumley A, Bruckdorfer KR, Whincup PH. Associations of vitamin C status, fruit and vegetable intakes, and markers of inflammation and hemostasis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Mar;83(3):567-574.
Calcium Supplements May Contribute to a Healthy Pregnancy
In pregnant women with low calcium intake, calcium supplements reduce the severity of pre-eclampsia and mortality rates in mothers and infants, a new study by the World Health Organization (WHO) has found.
Pre-eclampsia is a condition where the mother’s blood pressure rises to the hypertensive range during pregnancy. It can be a life-threatening complication for both the mother and child if it escalates into eclampsia.
In the current randomized placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial, researchers studied 8,325 women with normal blood pressure who had never given birth. The participants included in the study were known to consume low amounts of calcium (less than 600 mg per day). During the trial, the subjects received 1.5 grams of calcium carbonate per day or a placebo.
Calcium supplementation was associated with a non-statistically significant small reduction in pre-eclampsia evident by 35 weeks of gestation. However, eclampsia and severe gestational hypertension were significantly lower in the calcium group. Overall, there was a 25 percent reduction in severe pre-eclamptic complications and a reduction in severe maternal morbidity and mortality and neonatal mortality in the calcium group. In the calcium group, general survival rates of the infants increased by 30 percent.
Analysis of sub groups within the study population indicated that calcium supplementation reduced the occurrence of premature births among women younger than 20, a group normally at high risk of complications.
The researchers concluded that a supplement providing 1.5 grams of calcium per day “did not prevent pre-eclampsia but did reduce its severity.” They also concluded that calcium reduced the secondary outcomes of maternal morbidity and neonatal mortality.
The researchers suggested that, for women with low calcium intakes, simply taking a prenatal vitamin many not be enough and additional calcium supplementation may be necessary.
Reference
Villar J, Abdel-Aleem H, Merialdi M, Mathai M, Ali MM, Zavaleta N, Purwar M, Hofmeyr J, Nguyen TN, Campodonico L, Landoulsi S, Carroli G, Lindheimer M. World Health Organization randomized trial of calcium supplementation among low calcium intake pregnant women. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Mar;194(3):639-49.
