Abstract
The environment, including diet, plays a critical role in a woman's subsequent risk of breast cancer. Two dietary polyphenols that have received attention from the health and research communities for their ability to protect against breast cancer are: genistein, a component of soy; and resveratrol, a phytoalexin found in red grapes and red wine. We and others have shown that both genistein and resveratrol can protect against mammary cancer in rodents. The timing of exposure to genistein appears critical for its mammary protective effects. It has been reported that genistein early in life causes enhanced mammary gland differentiation, alterations in cell proliferation and apoptosis, and upregulation of tumor-suppressor genes. With resveratrol in the diet, changes in cell proliferation and apoptosis in terminal ductal structures of the mammary gland might help to explain its protective effects. We conclude that genistein and resveratrol can protect against breast cancer by regulating important mammary growth and differentiation pathways.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
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Review
MeSH terms
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9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene / administration & dosage
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9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene / toxicity
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Adenocarcinoma / chemically induced
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Adenocarcinoma / prevention & control
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Administration, Oral
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Adolescent
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Age Factors
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Animals
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Antioxidants / administration & dosage
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Antioxidants / therapeutic use
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Carcinogens / administration & dosage
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Carcinogens / toxicity
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Cell Differentiation / drug effects
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Chemoprevention / methods*
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Diet
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Drug Administration Schedule
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Drug Synergism
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Estradiol / chemistry
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Estradiol / physiology
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Female
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Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
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Genistein / administration & dosage
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Genistein / chemistry
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Genistein / therapeutic use*
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Humans
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Mammary Glands, Animal / drug effects
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Mammary Glands, Animal / growth & development
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Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / chemically induced
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Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / prevention & control*
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Molecular Structure
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Pregnancy
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Protein Kinase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
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Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Resveratrol
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Sexual Maturation
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Soy Foods
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Stilbenes / administration & dosage
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Stilbenes / chemistry
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Stilbenes / therapeutic use*
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Wine
Substances
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Antioxidants
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Carcinogens
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Protein Kinase Inhibitors
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Stilbenes
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Estradiol
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9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene
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Genistein
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Resveratrol