Effect of genistein on the bioavailability and intestinal cancer chemopreventive activity of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate

The green tea (Camellia sinensis) catechin, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), has shown cancer-preventive activity in animal models. Previously, we have reported the bioavailability of EGCG in rats and mice. Here, we report that cotreatment of HT-29 human colon cancer cells with genistein (from soy) increased cytosolic EGCG by 2- to 5-fold compared with treatment with EGCG only. Inclusion of genistein, at non-cytotoxic concentrations, increased the growth inhibitory effects of EGCG against HT-29 cells (up to 2-fold at 20 μM genistein). Intragastric coadministration of EGCG (75 mg/kg) and genistein (200 mg/kg) to CF-1 mice resulted in an increase in plasma half-life (t_1/2 148.7 ± 16.4 versus 111.5 ± 23.4 min) and exposure (AUC_0→∞ 183.9 ± 20.2 versus 125.8 ± 26.4 μg/ml × min) of EGCG. Cotreatment with genistein also increased the maximal concentration (C_max), 6 h exposure (AUC_0→360min), and t_1/2 of EGCG in the small intestine by 2.0-, 4.7- and 1.4-fold, respectively, compared with mice treated with EGCG only. Contrary to our expectations, the combination of 0.01% EGCG in the drinking fluid and 0.2% genistein in the diet enhanced intestinal tumorigenesis in male adenomatous polyposis coli (APC)^min/+ mice. This combination increased the multiplicity of tumors in the medial and distal small intestine: the largest increase was in tumors >2 mm in diameter (4.3-fold compared with controls). This study demonstrates that although genistein can enhance EGCG bioavailability and in vitro growth inhibitory activity, this combination enhances tumorigenesis in the APC^min/+ mouse. These results further show the need for careful cancer prevention studies in animal models and for caution when interpreting data from in vitro studies.