Inhibiting metastasis

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Blueberry polyphenols may be very important for inhibiting metastasis

 

 

 

MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases are a group of enzymes that break down proteins such as collagen that are normally found in the space between cells in our tissues. Because they break down the boundary between cells, even cancerous cells, they are an important part of the spread of cancer. MMPs are a known target for inhibiting the spread of cancer and their inhibition are a new strategy for drugs undergoing research and development to fight cancer. In this study researchers used 3 preparations of blueberries on prostate cancer cells; a crude preparation, an anthocyanin rich preparation, and a proanthocyanidin rich preparation. After 24 hours the cells were inspected and all 3 supplements were found to inhibit MMP activity but the proanthocyanidin rich supplement did it the best. These findings show that the polyphenols in blueberries inhibit MMP activity in prostate cancer cells and they may be valuable in inhibiting the metastasis of this and other cancerous tumor types. The study is published in the October 2005 issue of the journal Biochemistry and Cell Biology.