Department of Experimental Medicine, Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Section, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Apoptosis. 2012 Sep;17(9):964-74. doi: 10.1007/s10495-012-0740-3.
Isothiocyanates (ITCs) are molecules naturally present in many cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, black radish, daikon radish, and cauliflowers). Several studies suggest that cruciferous vegetable consumption may reduce cancer risk and slow the aging process. To investigate the effect of ITCs on cellular DNA damage, we evaluated the effects of two different ITCs [sulforaphane (SFN) and raphasatin (RPS)] on the biology of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which, in addition to their ability to differentiate into mesenchymal tissues, contribute to the homeostatic maintenance of many organs. The choice of SFN and RPS relies on two considerations: they are among the most popular cruciferous vegetables in the diet of western and eastern countries, respectively, and their bioactive properties may differ since they possess specific molecular moiety. Our investigation evidenced that MSCs incubated with low doses of SFN and RPS show reduced in vitro oxidative stress. Moreover, these cells are protected from oxidative damages induced by hydrogen peroxide, while no protection was evident following treatment with the UV ray of a double strand DNA damaging drug, such as doxorubicin. High concentrations of both ITCs induced cytotoxic effects in MSC cultures and further increased DNA damage induced by peroxides. In summary, our study suggests that ITCs, at low doses, may contribute to slowing the aging process related to oxidative DNA damage. Moreover, in cancer treatment, low doses of ITCs may be used as an adjuvant to reduce chemotherapy-induced oxidative stress, while high doses may synergize with anticancer drugs to promote cell DNA damage.
异硫氰酸酯（ITCs）是许多十字花科蔬菜（西兰花、黑萝卜、白萝卜和花椰菜）中天然存在的分子。一些研究表明，食用十字花科蔬菜可能会降低癌症风险并减缓衰老过程。为了研究 ITC 对细胞 DNA 损伤的影响，我们评估了两种不同的 ITC [萝卜硫素（SFN）和莱菔硫烷（RPS）]对人骨髓间充质干细胞（MSCs）生物学的影响，这些细胞除了能够分化为间充质组织外，还有助于许多器官的稳态维持。选择 SFN 和 RPS 基于两个考虑因素：它们分别是西方国家和东方国家饮食中最受欢迎的十字花科蔬菜之一，并且由于它们具有特定的分子部分，它们的生物活性可能不同。我们的研究表明，与低剂量 SFN 和 RPS 孵育的 MSC 显示出体外氧化应激减少。此外，这些细胞受到保护，免受过氧化氢诱导的氧化损伤，而在用双链 DNA 损伤药物（如阿霉素）的紫外线照射处理后，没有明显的保护作用。两种 ITC 的高浓度在 MSC 培养物中诱导细胞毒性作用，并进一步增加过氧化物诱导的 DNA 损伤。总之，我们的研究表明，低剂量的 ITC 可能有助于减缓与氧化 DNA 损伤相关的衰老过程。此外，在癌症治疗中，低剂量的 ITC 可用作辅助药物，以减少化疗引起的氧化应激，而高剂量可能与抗癌药物协同作用，促进细胞 DNA 损伤。
