Phenethyl isothiocyanate suppresses inhibitor of apoptosis family protein expression in prostate cancer cells in culture and in vivo.

Background: Cruciferous vegetable constituent phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) causes apoptosis in prostate cancer cells through mechanisms not fully understood. The present study was designed to determine the role of inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family proteins in PEITC-induced apoptosis induction.

Methods: Effect of PEITC treatment on protein and mRNA expression of IAP in cells was determined by Western blotting and reverse transcription PCR, respectively.

High prevalence of low dietary calcium, high phytate consumption, and vitamin D deficiency in healthy south Indians.

Background: Data on the vitamin D status of the population in a tropical country such as India have seldom been documented. Vitamin D deficiency is presumed to be rare.

Objective: The objective was to document the dietary habits and concentrations of serum calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], and parathyroid hormone of Indian urban and rural populations.