Role of Lipotropes in Mammary Carcinogenesis.
Abstract
Lipotropes (methionine, choline, folic acid, and vitamin B12) interact extensively in the supply and regulation of intercellular pools of methyl groups. They are essential for the synthesis and methylation of DNA, the production of nucleoproteins and membranes, and the metabolism of lipids. Lipotrope deficiency, or methyl deficiency, enhances some forms of chemically-induced hepatocarcinogenesis (1). Further, dietary deficiencies of choline and methionine have carcinogenic effects by themselves (2, 3). Most research on lipotropes has concentrated on liver abnormalities. However, lipotrope deficiency affects almost every organ in the body, particularly when animals are in a state of high metabolic activity and growth (4), and much of the data on the relationship between lipotrope deficiency and mammary carcinogenesis was derived from male rats. The mechanism underlying the enhanced mammary tumorigenesis by lipotrope deficiency is unclear. Very little is known about the effect of dietary lipotrope supplementation on tumorigenesis, and these findings are not consistent (5, 6).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA337824
Entities
People
- Chung S. Park
Organizations
- North Dakota State University