Objective
The objectives of the project are :
1. to extract, identify and quantify phenolic phytoprotectants (PPPs) in plants and
processed foods;
2. to evaluate anti-cancer effects of PPPs;
3. to assess the bioavailability of PPPs;
4. to evaluate the role of intestinal microflora and membrane function in these
processes.
Limited epidemiological and experimental data suggest that PPPs may help to prevent cancer. The overall objective of this project is to extensively study this group of compounds in order to confirm their anticancer action and suggest mechanisms by which this may occur and assess the amount and bioavailability of PPPs in the diet.
The group of tasks analytics will :
1. analyze, by GC-MS, major PPPs (lignans isoflavonoids, flavonoids and
alkylresorcinols) in different varieties of plants, agronomic conditions and
processing methods;
2. quantify PPP metabolites in samples from human, animal and in vitro studies;
3. supply selected compounds (including radiolabelled and stable isotope
derivatives) for use in bioassays by other participants.
The group of tasks metabolism, short-term carcinogenicity studies will :
1. assess the role of gut microflora in the metabolism and bioavailability of PPPs;
2. investigate the activity of PPPs and their metabolites in a number of novel
biological assays for antigenotoxicity and anticarcinogenicity;
3. establish the relative activity of PPPs in tumour target tissues (colon, breast,
prostate) from humans and animals;
4. assess the action of PPPs on crucial membrane-associated functions, signal
transduction and early molecular events of carcinogenesis, thus providing
information on mechanisms involved.
The group of tasks in vivo assays and human volunteer studies will :
1. study the absorption, bioavailability and tissue distribution of PPPs
(radiolabelled/stable isotope forms) in animal models and human volunteers;
2. provide evidence for anti-carcinogenic activity of selected PPPs in colon,
mammary and prostate tissue using novel, mid-term bioassays in
genetically engineered mice and other in vivo tumour models.
The proposed programme of work aims to provide EU industries with a competitive edge on Japanese and US food companies in the development of new generation of foods with health promoting properties.
Fields of science
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
00290 HELSINKI
Finland