Screening of potential cancer preventing chemicals for induction of glutathione in rat liver cells.

With BRL 3A hepatocytes, a series of selected, potentially chemopreventive chemicals was evaluated for their capacity to elevate glutathione (GSH) levels. Since sodium selenite consistently increased GSH levels by approximately 70%, it was selected as a positive control. Of 62 test chemicals, eighteen stimulated GSH levels by >30%, but eleven of these had only a modest effect or displayed considerable toxicity. At non-toxic concentrations, seven compounds had substantial activity: black tea extract (decaffeinated), trans-chalcone, N-ethyl-9-cis-retinamide, indole-3-carbinol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) curcumin and N-(4-carboxyphenyl)retinamide. These should be considered for further development as cancer preventive agents.