Suppression of large intestinal cancer in F344 rats by inositol hexaphosphate

Epidemiological data demonstrate correlations between dietary factors and the incidence of large intestinal cancer (LIC). Certain high-fiber diets are associated with a lower risk of LIC; these high-fiber diets are also rich in inositol hexaphosphate (IP6 or phytic acid). In a pilot study, we have used F344 rats to investigate the effect of sodium inositol hexaphosphate (Na-IP6) prior to (experiment I) and following injections of the carcinogen azoxymethane (AOM) (experiment II). In experiment I, rats started on 1% Na-IP6 in drinking water 1 week prior to the carcinogen treatment showed a 34.7% decrease (P less than 0.01) in LIC compared to control carcinogen treatment group. A similar reduction in the incidence of LIC was also observed in experiment II, wherein Na-IP6 supplementation was started 2 weeks following the last dose of the carcinogen. Comparison of the incidence of mitosis in the colonic crypts of the animals in different groups show that animals on AOM + IP6 demonstrate a significantly lower (P less than 0.001) mitotic rate than those receiving AOM only. Pilot studies of free radical generation demonstrate a reduction in .OH radical formation by Na-IP6. Further studies to expand this pilot data and to understand the mechanism of IP6 mediated LIC suppression are needed for it may have significance in our strategies for LIC control.