Dietary prevention of Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric cancer with kimchi

// Migyeong Jeong 1, * , Jong-Min Park 1, * , Young-Min Han 1 , Kun Young Park 2 , Don Haeng Lee 3 , Joon-Hwan Yoo 4 , Joo Young Cho 4 , Ki-Baik Hahm 1, 4 1 CHA Cancer Prevention Research Center, CHA Cancer Institute, CHA University, Seoul, Korea 2 College of Nutrition, Busan National University, Busan, Korea 3 Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Korea 4 Digestive Disease Center, CHA University Bundang Medical Center, Seongnam, Korea * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Ki-Baik Hahm, e-mail: hahmkb@cha.ac.kr Keywords: cancer preventive kimchi, Helicobacter pylori, anti-inflammation, rejuvenation, anti-mutagenesis Received: June 01, 2015      Accepted: July 29, 2015      Published: August 10, 2015 ABSTRACT To prove whether dietary intervention can prevent Helicobacter pylori -induced atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer, we developed cancer preventive kimchi (cpKimchi) through special recipe and administered to chronic H. pylori -initiated, high salt diet-promoted, gastric tumorigenesis mice model. H. pylori -infected C57BL/6 mice were administered with cpKimchi mixed in drinking water up to 36 weeks. Gross and pathological gastric lesions were evaluated after 24 and 36 weeks, respectively and explored underlying molecular changes to explain efficacies. Cancer preventive actions of anti-inflammation and anti-mutagenesis were compared between standard recipe kimchi (sKimchi) and special recipe cpKimchi in in vitro H. pylori -infected cell model. The erythematous and nodular changes, mucosal ulcerative and erosive lesions in the stomach were noted at 24 th weeks, but cpKimchi administration significantly ameliorated. After 36 th weeks, scattered nodular masses, some ulcers, and thin nodular gastric mucosa were noted in H. pylori -infected mice, whereas these gross lesions were significantly attenuated in cpKimchi group. On molecular analysis, significant expressions of COX-2 and IL-6, activated NF-κB and STAT3, increased apoptosis, and marked oxidative stresses were noted in H. pylori -infected group relevant to tumorigenesis, but these were all significantly attenuated in cpKimchi group. cpKimchi extracts imparted significant selective induction of apoptosis only in cancer cells, led to inhibition of H. pylori -induced proliferation, while no cytotoxicity through significant HO-1 induction in non-transformed gastric cells. In conclusion, daily dietary intake of cpKimchi can be an effective way either to rejuvenate H. pylori -atrophic gastritis or to prevent tumorigenesis supported with the concerted actions of anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-mutagenic mechanisms.