Possible association between gastric cancer and bracken fern in Venezuela: An epidemiologic study

Alonso‐Amelot, Miguel E.; Avendaño, Marisabel

doi:10.1002/1097-0215(20010115)91:2<252::aid-ijc1028>3.0.co;2-o

Cited by 27 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Along similar lines, a recent investigation [6] covering the statistical records between 1986 and 1996 of 5.5 million people living in 93.000 Km 2 of topographically contrasting regions of western Venezuela -about twice the area of Costa Rica-revealed striking differences in gastric cancer death rates and geographical location. Thus, the risk of dying from the disease in the three Andean states, where bracken infestation of pastureland is severe was 3.64 times higher (p< 0.0000; t = 27.899) than for those living in the Maracaibo lake basin at nearly the sea level, where bracken is absent in cultivated or sylvester land.…”

Section: The Indirect Way Of Bracken Carcinogens Into Human Dietmentioning

confidence: 72%

“…In such low concentrations their lethal function focuses on specific target host cells or invading microorganisms en lieu of more structured tissues and organs. This is precisely the case of bracken fern (Pteridium sp) whose carcinogenic potential and other undesirable effects on farm animals has been known for a long time [1,2 ]but evidence linking this plant to human health issues has being strengthened only recently by epidemiological correlations [3][4][5][6] and significant advances in the chemical reactions between one of its most notorious components, ptaquiloside, and DNA [7][8][9][10][11][12]. Other bracken compounds such as quercetin and tannins also have attracted attention as they may interact with human tissues in combination with etiogical agents such as viruses [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Human Carcinogenesis and Bracken Fern: A Review of the Evidence

Alonso‐Amelot

Avendaño

2002

CMC

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The complex taxon embraced in the Pteridium genus, popularly known as bracken fern and notorious weeds in many parts of the world, is one of the few vascular plants known to induce cancer naturally in animals. It has been known for long to be acutely toxic to livestock and sublethal chronic oral feeding of bracken fronds leads to cancerous lesions in the urinary bladder, or bovine enzootic haematuria (BEH) and ileum of cattle. Bracken poisoning has been attributed chiefly to ptaquiloside, a norsesqui-terpene which is also a potent carcinogen inducing various malignancies in laboratory animals. It is capable of alkylating uncoiled DNAbases at key proto-oncogenes of selected organs. Some human populations also eat young bracken shoots and epidemiological studies in Japan and Brazil have shown a close association between bracken consumption and cancers of the upper alimentary tract. In addition, other studies reveal that the mere presence of bracken swards represents a greater risk to die of gastric adenocarcinoma for people who live more than 20 years in such areas or are exposed in childhood. This work reviews the bracken-cancer connections established by in vitro and in vivo experiments and epidemiological studies in various parts of the world, and provides insights into the possible bridges for bracken carcinogens to reach the human diet. Also, specific points where more research is needed are highlighted.

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Section: The Indirect Way Of Bracken Carcinogens Into Human Dietmentioning

confidence: 72%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Carcinogenesis and Bracken Fern: A Review of the Evidence

Alonso‐Amelot

Avendaño

2002

CMC

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“…Bracken fronds are still eaten as a vegetable in many parts of the world and particularly in Korea, Japan and parts of China. Evidence linking this plant to human health issues has been strengthened by epidemiological associations (43) and significant advances in understanding the chemical reactions between one of its most notorious components, ptaquiloside, and DNA (44). …”

Section: Potential Dietary Carcinogensmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Squamous cell carcinomas of the upper digestive tract of cattle have been associated with chronic bracken fern consumption (48) and milk from cows consuming bracken fern has been suggested as a vehicle for this carcinogen in humans (49). Others have shown that consumption of ptaquiloside-contaminated milk may contribute to human gastric cancer (43). However, the greatest risk to humans appears to be the direct consumption of the fern itself, a practice that continues in various countries throughout the world and is indeed promoted on the Internet with recipes for preparing bracken fiddleheads (http://honest-food.net/2011/06/24/bracken-fern-food-or-poison/).…”

Section: Potential Dietary Carcinogensmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxic Phytochemicals and Their Potential Risks for Human Cancer

Bode

Dong

2015

Cancer Prevention Research

117

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Consuming plants for their presumed health benefits has occurred since early civilizations. Phytochemicals are found in various plants that are frequently included in the human diet and are generally thought to be safe for consumption because they are produced naturally. However, this is not always the case and in fact many natural compounds found in several commonly consumed plants are potential carcinogens or tumor promoters and should be avoided.

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“…Environmental contamination could also be a problem, as has already been demonstrated for ptaquiloside in soil and water (Rasmussen et al, 2003). In fact, epidemiologic studies have attributed high rates of stomach cancer to people living in areas infested by bracken fern, for example, in the highlands of western Venezuela (Alonso-Amelot and Avendano, 2001) and in Gwynedd, North Wales (Galpin et al, 1990). More recently, meat was identified as another potential source of intoxication, as bracken toxins were detected in the skeletal muscle and liver of cattle fifteen days after bracken consumption had ended (Fletcher et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Ptaquiloside reduces NK cell activities by enhancing metallothionein expression, which is prevented by selenium

et al. 2013

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Pteridium aquilinum, one of the most important poisonous plants in the world, is known to be carcinogenic to animals and humans. Moreover, our previous studies showed that the immunosuppressive effects of ptaquiloside, its main toxic agent, were prevented by selenium in mouse natural killer (NK) cells. We also verified that this immunosuppression facilitated development of cancer. Here, we performed gene expression microarray analysis in splenic NK cells from mice treated for 14 days with ptaquiloside (5.3 mg/kg) and/or selenium (1.3 mg/kg) to identify gene transcripts altered by ptaquiloside that could be linked to the immunosuppression and that would be prevented by selenium. Transcriptome analysis of ptaquiloside samples revealed that 872 transcripts were expressed differentially (fold change>2 and p<0.05), including 77 up-regulated and 795 down-regulated transcripts. Gene ontology analysis mapped these up-regulated transcripts to three main biological processes (cellular ion homeostasis, negative regulation of apoptosis and regulation of transcription). Considering the immunosuppressive effect of ptaquiloside, we hypothesized that two genes involved in cellular ion homeostasis, metallothionein 1 (Mt1) and metallothionein 2 (Mt2), could be implicated because Mt1 and Mt2 are responsible for zinc homeostasis, and a reduction of free intracellular zinc impairs NK functions. We confirm these hypotheses and show increased expression of metallothionein in splenic NK cells and reduction in free intracellular zinc following treatment with ptaquiloside that were completely prevented by selenium co-treatment. These findings could help avoid the higher susceptibility to cancer that is induced by P. aquilinum-mediated immunosuppressive effects.

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Possible association between gastric cancer and bracken fern in Venezuela: An epidemiologic study

Cited by 27 publications

References 41 publications

Human Carcinogenesis and Bracken Fern: A Review of the Evidence

Human Carcinogenesis and Bracken Fern: A Review of the Evidence

Toxic Phytochemicals and Their Potential Risks for Human Cancer

Ptaquiloside reduces NK cell activities by enhancing metallothionein expression, which is prevented by selenium

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