title: Inhibitory effects of feeding with carrots or (-)-falcarinol on development of azoxymethane-induced preneoplastic lesions in the rat colon.
abstract: The effects of intake of dietary amounts of carrot or corresponding amounts of (-)-(3R)-falcarinol from carrots on development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon preneoplastic lesions were examined in male BDIX rats. Three groups of eight AOM-treated rats were fed the standard rat feed Altromin supplemented with either 10% (w/w) freeze-dried carrots with a natural content of 35 mug falcarinol/g, 10% maize starch to which was added 35 mug falcarinol/g purified from carrots, or 10% maize starch (control). After 18 weeks, the animals were euthanized and the colon was examined for tumors and aberrant crypt foci (ACF), which were classified into four size classes. Although the number of small ACF was unaffected by the feeding treatments, the numbers of lesions as a function of increasing size class decreased significantly in the rats that received one of the two experimental treatments, as compared with the control treatment. This indicates that the dietary treatments with carrot and falcarinol delayed or retarded the development of large ACF and tumors. The present study provides a new perspective on the known epidemiological associations between high intake of carrots and reduced incidence of cancers.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Laboratory, University of Southern Denmark, Winsloewparken 23, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark. mkobaek@health.sdu.dk
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kobaek-Larsen
authors.forename: Lars P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Vach
authors.forename: Jelmera
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ritskes-Hoitinga
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brandt
mesh_terms: D000480:Alkynes; D000818:Animals; D001397:Azoxymethane; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018552:Daucus carota; D004032:Diet; D053280:Diynes; D005233:Fatty Alcohols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D000480:Alkynes; D053280:Diynes; D005233:Fatty Alcohols; D010936:Plant Extracts; C018541:falcarinol; D001397:Azoxymethane