Indole-3-carbinol and 3,3'-diindolylmethane induce apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells. Nachshon-Kedmi M, Yannai S, Haj A, Fares FA. Abstract: Faculty of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Technion- Israel Institute of Technology, 32000, Haifa, Israel. Cruciferous vegetables contain glucobrassicin which, during metabolism, yields indole-3-carbinol (I3C). In a low pH environment I3C is converted into polymeric products, among which 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) is the main one. The apoptotic effects of I3C and DIM were exhibited in human breast cancer cells. The objectives of this study were: (a) examination of the potential effects of I3C and DIM on the proliferation and induction of apoptosis in human prostate cancer cell lines with different p53 status; (b) to try to characterise the mechanism(s) involved in these effects. Our results indicate that both indole derivatives suppress the growth of these cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, by inducing apoptosis. It appears that these indolic compounds may offer effective means against prostate cancer. Induction of apoptosis was p53-independent. Moreover, the indole derivatives employed did not affect the levels of bcl-2, bax and fasL. Food Chem Toxicol. 2003 Jun;41(6):745-52. Int J Oncol, 11/03 Abstract #C171 Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Res, 2003 British J Cancer, 8/04 J Nutr, 12/04 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.