Microalgal compounds modulate carcinogenesis in the gastrointestinal tract

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Helena M. Amaro (Author) Other; Rita Barros (Author) Other; A. Catarina Guedes (Author) FCUP; I. Sousa-Pinto (Author) FCUP; F. Xavier Malcata (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Trends in Biotechnology

Vol. 31 No. 2

Pages: 92-98

ISSN: 0167-7799

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 29 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 45 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Biological sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-0SB

DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2012.11.004

Abstract (EN): Gastrointestinal cancers rank second in overall cancer-related deaths. Carotenoids, sulfated polysaccharides, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from microalgae exhibit cancer chemopreventive features at different stages of carcinogenesis. For instance, sulfated polysaccharides bear a prophylactic potential via blocking adhesion of pathogens to the gastric surface, whereas carotenoids are effective against Helicobacter pylori infection. This effect is notable because H. pylori has been targeted as the primary cause of gastric cancer. Recent results on antitumor and antibacterial compounds synthesized by microalgae are reviewed here, with an emphasis on their impact upon H. pylori infection and derived pathologies accompanying the progression of gastric carcinogenesis.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7