Question

Describe four mechanisms by which dietary factors affect the Process of carcinogenesis.

Answer 1

4 mechanisms of carcinogenesis by dietary factors are:

1. Increased fat content in diet causes carcinogenesis by-

✓ by increasing production of perixides and reactive oxygen species which causes DNA damage and hence leads to mutation causing cancer

✓ cyclooxgenase enzyme causes formation of prostaglandins from fat , which cauese inflammation that on long term causes damage to cell and carcinogenic mutations.

2.High cholesterol intake causes changes in levels of indigenous hormones which leads to certain hormone dependent tumors like breast cancer, endometrial cancer, prostate cancer etc.

3. Heterocyclic amines which are produced from sugar,heating amino acids of protein rich diet like meat etc.

These are further converted to toxic substances in our body after getting exposed to various enzymes. And the ultimately leads to change in DNA sequences.

4.High doses of salt in diet leads to damage to mucin layer of gastrointestinal tract , which is the protective layer of gut. This further leads to damage to epithelium and in tern proliferation of stem cells which on chronic tern leads to cancer.