Connection between miRNA Mediation and the Bioactive Effects of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica): Exogenous miRNA Resistance to Food Processing and GI Digestion

Broccoli
(Brassica oleracea var.
italica) and its bioactive compounds are associated with beneficial
health effects, which might be enabled, at least in part, through
miRNA regulation, despite recent controversial studies suggesting
that exogenous dietary miRNAs may reach host circulation and target
cells to regulate gene expression. Here, a computational analysis
was performed to explore the processes and pathways associated with
genes targeted either by (1) host-expressed miRNAs (endogenous) modulated
by the bioactive compounds in broccoli or (2) miRNAs derived from
broccoli (exogenous). In addition, the stability of exogenous miRNAs
from broccoli was assessed after broccoli was subjected to the usual
processing methods and in vitro digestion-simulating
gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. Overall, bioinformatic results show
that the anticarcinogenic and cancer-preventive properties attributed
to cruciferous vegetables might be mediated, at least in part, through
miRNA-related mechanisms. Moreover, results show that broccoli-derived
miRNAs can survive common food-processing conditions and GI digestion.