Elsevier

The Journal of Nutrition

Volume 130, Issue 9, September 2000, Pages 2127-2130
The Journal of Nutrition

Phytosterols as Anticancer Dietary Components: Evidence and Mechanism of Action1,2

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Phytosterols (PS) or plant sterols are structurally similar to cholesterol. The most common PS are β-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol. Epidemiologic and experimental studies suggest that dietary PS may offer protection from the most common cancers in Western societies, such as colon, breast and prostate cancer. This review summarizes the findings of these studies and the possible mechanisms by which PS offer this protection. These include the effect of PS on membrane structure and function of tumor and host tissue, signal transduction pathways that regulate tumor growth and apoptosis, immune function of the host and cholesterol metabolism by the host. In addition, suggestions for future studies to fill the gaps in our knowledge have been given. J. Nutr. 130: 2127–2130, 2000.

Key words:

phytosterols
β-sitosterol
membrane sphingomyelin
apoptosis
tumor growth
ceramide
cancer

Abbreviations used:

PKC
protein kinase C
PP2A
protein phosphatate 2A
PS
phytosterols
PSA
prostate-specific antigen
SIT
β-sitosterol

Cited by (0)

1

Supported by grants from The Peanut Institute, Allen Foundation and Mark Diamond Funds.

2

Manuscript received 27 March 2000