Dietary catechin delays tumor onset in a transgenic mouse model

Background: Evidence exists that red wine, which contains a large array of polyphenols, is protective against cardiovascular disease and possibly cancer. Objective: We tested the hypothesis that catechin, the major monomeric polyphenol in red wine, can delay tumor onset in transgenic mice that spontaneously develop tumors. Design: Mice were fed a nutritionally complete amino acid–based diet supplemented with (+)-catechin (0–8 mmol/kg diet) or alcohol-free solids from red wine. Mice were examined daily; the age at which a first tumor appeared was recorded as the age at tumor onset. Plasma catechin and metabolite concentrations were quantified at the end of the study. Results: Dietary catechin significantly delayed tumor onset; a positive, linear relation was observed between the age at tumor onset and either the amount of dietary catechin (r2 = 0.761, P < 0.001) or plasma catechin and metabolite concentrations (r2 = 0.408, P = 0.003). No significant effects on tumor onset were observed when mice consumed a diet supplemented with wine solids containing