Effects of different phytosterol analogs on colonic mucosal cell proliferation in hamsters.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different phytosterols and their analogs on colonic mucosal cell proliferation in hamsters.


METHODS
Hamsters (n=70) were randomly assigned to seven groups after a 2-week acclimation and fed the experimental diet for 5 weeks. Diets included (i) the semipurified diet with no cholesterol (Con), (ii) the Con diet plus 0.25% cholesterol (Ch-con), or the Ch-con diet with (iii) 1% phytosterols (Ste), (iv) 1% phytostanols (Sta), (v) 1.76% sterol esters (esterified to fish oil, SteF), (vi) 0.71% stanol esters (esterified to ascorbic acid [disodium ascorbyl phytostanol phosphate, FM-VP4], 0.7% StaA) and (vii) 1.43% stanol esters (1.4% StaA), respectively. After 5 weeks on experimental diet, hamsters were sacrificed, and colons were collected. Colonic mucosal cell proliferation was measured by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies against antigen Ki-67.


RESULTS
Colonic mucosal cell proliferation was 21.4% (P<.01) lower in the 0.7%, but not 1.4%, StaA relative to the Ch-con group. In addition, a lower (-13.9%) cell proliferation was observed in the SteF group in comparison to the Ch-con group; however, this difference achieved only a borderline level of statistical significance (P=.069). No differences were observed between Con and Ch-con, as well as among Ste, Sta, 1.4% StaA and Ch-con treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
Plant stanols esterified to ascorbic acid may possess anticarcinogenic properties in the colon by suppressing colonic mucosa cell proliferation; however, this effect was not observed with free plant sterols or stanols.
Jia
Xiaoming
X
School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, McGill University, Macdonald Campus, QC, Canada H9X 3V9.
Ebine
Naoyuki
N
Wang
Yanwen
Y
Awad
Atif B
AB
Jones
Peter J H
PJ
D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001835:Body Weight; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects*; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003106:Colon / Q000166:cytology*; D006224:Cricetinae; D004435:Eating; D004951:Esterification; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D010840:Phytosterols; D001205:Ascorbic Acid