PREVENTION OF CANCER AND CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASES - A COMMON STRATEGY

Cancer and cardiovascular diseases are two pathological states involvi ng uncontrolled proliferation of either tumor or vascular smooth muscl e cells. Interestingly, both types of disease can be prevented by the same type of chemical agent, such as marine polyunsaturated fatty acid s, sulfur-containing compounds present in garlic, and wine polyphenols , among others, which seem to be fairly effective in the prevention of certain types of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. This is supporte d by numerous epidemiological studies and laboratory experiments invol ving animal models. It is therefore suggested that the mode of action of these compounds interfering with the development of these pathologi cal states share some common trends. This could be taken into consider ation in future studies related to the molecular mechanisms leading to these diseases as well as with the chemopreventive potential of some dietary components. (C) John Wiley & Sons, Inc.