Effects of dietary anticarcinogens and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on rat gastrointestinal UDP-glucuronosyltransferases

Background: Dietary compounds or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may reduce cancer rates. Elevation of phase II detoxification enzymes might be one of the mechanisms leading to cancer prevention. We investigated the effects of dietary anticarcinogens and NSAIDs on rat gastrointestinal UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT). Materials and Methods: Diets of Wistar rats were supplemented with oltipraz, α-tocopherol, β-carotene, phenethylisothiocyanate (PEITC), sulforaphane analogue compound-30, indole-3-carbinol, D-limonene, relafen, indomethacin, ibuprofen, piroxicam, acetyl salicylic acid or sulindac. Hepatic and intestinal UGT enzyme activities were quantified by using 4-nitrophenol and 4-methylumbelliferone as substrates. Results: Compound-30, D-limonene, indomethacin, ibuprofen or sulindac enhanced proximal small intestinal UGT activities. Only compound-30 was able to induce mid- and distal small intestinal UGT activities. Large intestinal UGT activities were increased by ibuprofen and sulindac, whereas oltipraz, PEITC and D-limonene gave enhanced hepatic UGT activities. Conclusion: Mainly rat proximal small intestinal and hepatic UGT enzyme activities were induced by dietary anticarcinogens or NSAIDs. Enhanced UGT activities might lead to a more efficient detoxification of carcinogenic compounds and thus could contribute to the prevention of gastrointestinal cancer.