pectins and Precancerous-Conditions

We have recently demonstrated that overexpression of PKC beta(II) renders transgenic mice more susceptible to carcinogen-induced colonic hyperproliferation and aberrant crypt foci formation. In order to further investigate the ability of PKC beta(II) to modulate colonocyte cytokinetics, we determined the localization of PKC beta(II) with respect to cell proliferation and apoptosis along the entire colonic crypt axis following carcinogen and diet manipulation. Rats were provided diets containing either corn oil [containing n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)] or fish oil (containing n-3 PUFA), cellulose (non-fermentable fiber) or pectin (fermentable fiber) and injected with azoxymethane (AOM) or saline. After 16 weeks, an intermediate time point when no macroscopic tumors are detected, colonic sections were utilized for immunohistochemical image analysis and immunoblotting. Cell proliferation was measured by incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine into DNA and apoptosis by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling. In the distal colon, PKC beta(II) staining was localized to the upper portion of the crypt. In comparison, proximal crypts had more (P < 0.05) staining in the lower tertile. AOM enhanced (P < 0.05) PKC beta(II) expression in all regions of the distal colonic crypt (upper, middle and lower tertiles). There was also an interaction (P < 0.05) between dietary fat and fiber on PKC beta(II) expression (corn/pectin > fish/cellulose, fish/pectin > corn/cellulose) in all regions of the distal colonic crypt. With respect to colonic cell kinetics, proliferation paralleled the increase in PKC beta(II) expression in carcinogen-treated animals. In contrast, apoptosis at the lumenal surface was inversely proportional to PKC beta(II) expression in the upper tertile. These results suggest that an elevation in PKC beta(II) expression along the crypt axis in the distal colon is linked to enhancement of cell proliferation and suppression of apoptosis, predictive intermediate biomarkers of tumor development. Therefore, select dietary factors may confer protection against colon carcinogenesis in part by blocking carcinogen-induced PKC beta(II) expression.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Azoxymethane; Carcinogens; Cell Cycle; Cell Division; Cellulose; Colon; Colonic Neoplasms; Corn Oil; Diet; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Immunohistochemistry; Isoenzymes; Male; Pectins; Precancerous Conditions; Protein Kinase C; Protein Kinase C beta; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Subcellular Fractions

The present experiments were aimed at developing novel dietary fibers to aid in reduction of colon cancer risk. We assessed the effects of coffee (non-fiber fraction), coffee fiber (arabino-galactose polymer) and inulin (oligo-fructose) in male F344 rats using formation of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in the colon as the measure of preventive efficacy (or lack of such). At 5 weeks of age, groups of rats were fed the AIN-76A (control) and experimental diets that contained 1% coffee, 10% coffee fiber, 10% inulin, 10% pectin (positive control for fiber) or 200 p.p.m. piroxicam (a known ACF inhibitor). At 7 weeks of age, all animals were s.c injected with AOM (15 mg/kg body wt) once weekly for 2 weeks. All rats were killed 8 weeks after the last AOM injection and ACF were counted. The contents of the cecum were analyzed for bacterial beta-glucuronidase activity and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Dietary administration of coffee fiber significantly suppressed AOM-induction of colonic ACF, in terms of total number, as well as crypt multiplicity and number of ACF/cm2 colon (P < 0.01-0.001). Inulin diet had no significant effect on total ACF, but had reduced the number of ACF/cm2 (P < 0.05). Whereas coffee had no effect on ACF formation, 10% pectin diet and 200 p.p.m. piroxicam significantly suppressed colonic ACF (P < 0.001) as had been expected. A significant reduction of cecal beta-glucuronidase activity was observed in the rats fed coffee, coffee fiber and pectin diets. Further, coffee fiber, inulin and pectin increased cecal SCFA levels 3- to 5-fold. These results suggest that coffee fiber can prevent colon cancer risk. Further studies are warranted to determine the full potential of this fiber in pre-clinical efficacy studies.

Topics: Animals; Bacteria; Body Weight; Coffee; Colon; Dietary Fiber; Glucuronidase; Inulin; Male; Pectins; Precancerous Conditions; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344