title: Prebiotics prevent the appearance of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in the colon of BALB/c mice for increasing the gene expression of p16 protein.
abstract: Studies have shown fibers to be effective in reducing the appearance of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in rodents.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to investigate the preventive effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and inulin prebiotics on the appearance of ACF in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  The techniques used were: RT-PCR to evaluate the gene expression of p16, p21, p54, cyclin D1 and cyclin E in the distal colon; the quantification of Number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and measurement of catalase activity in the liver and distal colon. The animals were divided into five treatments (n=8); C-: AIN93M diet without fibers + DMH (1,2-dimethylhydrazine); INL: AIN93M diet with inulin; INLCA: AIN93M diet with inulin + DMH; FOS: AIN93M diet with FOS; FOSCA: AIN93M diet with FOS + DMH, during 15 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Inulin prevented the appearance of ACF in the proximal, middle and distal colon, compared to the control without fibers. In the middle and distal colon, FOS was also effective in preventing the incidence of ACF. This effectiveness may be attributed to the increased gene expression of p16 following FOS treatment. Both prebiotics also decreased catalase activity in the distal colon, thus suggesting an antioxidant effect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggesting an antioxidant effect prebiotics that may be attributed to the increased gene expression of p16.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Biology. Federal University of Viçosa, MG. Brazil. fredaogomides@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Antônio Frederico Freitas
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Gomides
authors.affiliation: Department of General Biology. Federal University of Viçosa, MG. Brazil. oliveira@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Sérgio Oliveira
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: de Paula
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biology. Federal University of Viçosa, MG. Brazil.
authors.forename: Reggiani Vilela
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: Department of General Biology. Federal University of Viçosa, MG. Brazil. llicursi@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Leandro Licursi
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Department of General Biology. Federal University of Viçosa, MG. Brazil. clferreira@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Célia Lúcia de Luces Fortes
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Technology. Federal University of Viçosa, MG. Brazil. chaves@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Débora Silva
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Comastri
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Health. Federal University of Viçosa, MG. Brazil. mpeluzio@ufv.br.
authors.forename: Maria do Carmo Gouveia
authors.initials: Mdo C
authors.lastname: Peluzio
mesh_terms: D058739:Aberrant Crypt Foci / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D019942:Genes, p16 / Q000502:physiology*; D007444:Inulin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D056692:Prebiotics
chemical_list: D009844:Oligosaccharides; D056692:Prebiotics; C116580:fructooligosaccharide; D007444:Inulin