Pro-mutagen and pro-oxidant activity of digest cured meat on HT29 cell line

Westernization of the diet is a major risk factor in the development of chronic diseases, primarily through chronic low-grade inflammation, which can lead to metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. The Western Diet (WD) is characterized by heavy consumption of processed foods, sugar and fats and low consumption of fruits and vegetables. This dietary pattern leads to the coexistence of excessive energy intake and deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals. Among the typical foods of WD, consumption of processed meat is increasing. Although these products have been classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying their role in cancer development remain under debate. Furthermore, humans are continuously exposed to environmental compounds that may have detrimental effects on health. In this context, excessive consumption of such foods, at the expense of protective food groups, may increase the exposure burden, thereby reducing the organism’s ability to counteract tumorigenesis. In this study, commercial cured meat products were selected and subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion using the standardized INFOGEST protocol. The digested samples were tested on HT29 human colon cancer cells, both in the presence and absence of EMS (a pro-mutagen) and menadione (a pro-oxidant). The COMET assay was employed to evaluate DNA damage. The results indicate that digested cured meats may enhance the effects of mutagenic and oxidative agents. These findings support the hypothesis that an unbalanced diet can amplify exposure to harmful compounds, particularly when protective foods are under-consumed.