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Starchy foods and colon proliferation in mice
G Caderni1, F Bianchini, P Dolara
1Department of Pharmacology, University of Florence, Italy.
Nutrition and Cancer
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Dietary starch from corn, bread, pasta, and rice reduced colon cell proliferation in mice. These findings suggest starch may lower the risk of colon cancer through its effects on cell growth.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Nutrition Science
- Oncology Research
Background:
- Dietary factors significantly influence colon health and cancer risk.
- Starch, a major carbohydrate source, has varied effects on the gastrointestinal tract.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of different dietary starches on colonic cell proliferation in mice.
- To compare the effects of cornstarch, white bread, pasta, and rice starches against a sucrose control.
Main Methods:
- C57BL/6N mice were fed 20% fat diets with specific starches or sucrose for four weeks.
- Colonic cell proliferation was assessed using colchicine arrest and [3H]thymidine incorporation.
- Mitotic index (MI) and labeling index (LI) were measured in rectal, mid, and cecal colon sections.
Main Results:
- All starch-containing diets reduced cell proliferation in the rectal colon compared to sucrose.
- Rice significantly lowered MI in the mid colon, while cornstarch, pasta, and rice reduced DNA synthetic activity (LI).
- Pasta and rice diets significantly reduced MI in the cecal colon, with pasta also reducing LI.
Conclusions:
- Dietary starch from various food sources demonstrates a potential to reduce colon cell proliferation in mice.
- The effect of starch on colonic proliferation varies across different regions of the colon.
- These findings contribute to understanding the role of dietary carbohydrates in colon cancer prevention.