Background: Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), the most comprehensively studied aromatic isothiocyanate, has been shown to act as an anti-cancer agent mainly through modulation of biotransformation enzymes responsible for metabolizing carcinogens in the human body. Humans are often exposed to carcinogenic factors, some of which through the diet, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon benzo[a]pyrene via the consumption of over-cooked meats. Inhibition of the enzymes responsible for the bioactivation of this carcinogen, for example CYP1A1, the major enzyme required for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) bioactivation, is recognized as a chemoprevention strategy.
Objective: To evaluate the inhibitory effects of PEITC against benzo[a]pyrene-induced rise in rat liver CYP1A1 mRNA and apoprotein levels.
Materials and methods: Precision cut rat liver slices were treated with benzo[a]pyrene at 1 and 5 μM in the presence of PEITC (1-25 μM) for 24 hours, followed by determination of CYP1A1 mRNA and apoprotein levels using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting.
Results: Findings revealed that PEITC inhibited benzo[a]pyrene-induced rise in rat liver CYP1A1 mRNA in a dose-dependent manner as well as the apoprotein levels of CYP1A.
Conclusions: It was demonstrated that PEITC can directly inhibit the bioactivation of benzo[a]pyrene, indicating chemopreventive potential.