Modulation of CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 Expression by Cabbage Juices and Indoles in Human Breast Cell Lines

Epidemiological studies have shown that consumption of cabbage and sauerkraut is connected with significant reduction of breast cancer incidences. Estrogens are considered a major breast cancer risk factor and their metabolism by P450 enzymes substantially contributes to carcinogenic activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cabbage and sauerkraut juices of different origin on the expression profile of the estrogen metabolism key enzymes (CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP1B1) in breast cell lines MCF7, MDA-MB-231, and MCF10A. The effects of cabbage juices were compared with that exerted by indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM). The treatment with cabbage juices or indoles for 72 h affected the expression of CYP1 family genes in cell-type dependent manner. Their induction was found in all cell lines, but the ratio of CYP1A1 to CYP1B1 was 1.22- to 10.6-fold in favor to CYP1A1 in MCF7 and MCF10A cells. Increased levels of CYP1A2 in comparison with CYP1B1 were also observed in MCF7 cells. In contrast, in MDA-MB-231 cells CYP1B1 was preferentially induced. Since the cell lines investigated differ in invasion capacity, these results support epidemiological observations and partly explain the mechanism of the chemopreventive activity of white cabbage products.