Juçara ( Euterpe edulis Mart.) Supplementation Reduces Aberrant Crypt Foci and Increases SOD1 Expression in the Colorectal Mucosa of Carcinogenesis-Induced Rats

• Published in: Nutrition and cancer Vol. 72; no. 4; pp. 610 - 619
• Main Authors: Dos Reis, Schalana Oliveira, da Luz, Tamires Conceição, da Silva Couto, Cinthia Vidal Monteiro, Dalbó, Juliana, Nunes, Louisiane de Carvalho, Martins, Marina Carvalho, Silva, Pollyanna Ibrahim, da Silva, Adriana Madeira Alvares, Trivilin, Leonardo Oliveira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis Ltd 2020
• Subjects: 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine; Aberrant Crypt Foci - prevention & control; Animals; Antioxidants; Carcinogenesis; Carcinogens; Colon; Colorectal carcinoma; Colorectal Neoplasms - prevention & control; Crypts; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Dimethylhydrazines; Euterpe - chemistry; Female; Food cans; Fruits; Intestinal Mucosa - enzymology; Mucosa; Prevention; Pulp; Rats; Superoxide dismutase; Superoxide Dismutase-1 - genetics; Weight Gain
• ISSN: 0163-5581; 1532-7914
• DOI: 10.1080/01635581.2019.1649437

Antioxidants present in food can act as a protective factor against the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) by reducing the development of aberrant crypt foci (ACF). This study aimed to analyze the effects of supplementation with juçara fruit pulp on the number of ACF and the SOD1 expression in an experimental model of CRC. Colorectal carcinogenesis was induced with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) in 16 young female rats ( ) given a diet supplemented with either juçara fruit pulp (DMH+/juçara+) or control (DMH+/juçara-). Five animals were used as a negative control (DMH-/juçara-). The (DMH+/juçara+) group received 14 days of supplementation (100 ml/animal/day) at 2-day intervals for 1 month. The number of ACF, area of positive staining for SOD1, and SOD1 expression score were evaluated. The (DMH+/juçara+) group presented a lower number of ACF, ACF > 3 crypts, and greater SOD1 expression in the colorectal mucosa. Based on the reduction in the number of lesions and possible positive impact on antioxidant enzymes, juçara fruit pulp appears to support the prevention of CRC, opening new possibilities for its use in dietary supplementation, as well as in the development of products and medications for the prevention and treatment of CRC.