ENHANCEMENT OF GLUTATHIONE S-TRANSFERASE ACTIVITY OF THE ESOPHAGUS BY PHENOLS, LACTONES, AND BENZYL ISOTHIOCYANATE

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 42  (4) , 1205-1207
Abstract
The effects of feeding p-methoxyphenol, benzyl isothiocyanate, coumarin, .alpha.-angelicalactone, 2-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole and 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole on the glutathione S-transferase activity and sulfhydryl levels of esophagus and small bowel mucosa of ICR/Ha mice were investigated. p-Methoxyphenol, benzyl isothiocyanate, coumarin and 2-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole increased glutathione S-transferase activity of the esophagus by 68-135%, .alpha.-angelicalactone was less effective and 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole had only a small enhancing capacity. All 6 compounds increased the SH levels of the esophagus. The ranking order and magnitude of the enhancing effects of the 6 compounds on glutathione S-transferase activity are similar for esophagus and forestomach (previously published) but differ from that of the small bowel mucosa. Since esophageal cancer is an important cause of [human] cancer deaths in many parts of the world, information as to factors which can enhance protective systems of this organ may be of value.