title: Chemoprevention of Azoxymethane-induced Colonic Carcinogenesis in Balb/c mice Using a Modified Pectin Alginate Probiotic.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Increased intake of probiotic dietary fibre reduces colonic cancer risk. Modified citrus pectin (MCP) requires optimal bioactivity to inhibit galectin-3 (GAL-3) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This study evaluated the preventative effect of modified pectin alginate (MCPA) probiotic microbeads on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic carcinogenesis in Balb/c mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Optimization of AOM dose duration: 10-15 mg/kg was administered for 2-4 weeks. The optimal AOM dose was initiated prior to intake of MCPA, alginate probiotic (AP) microbeads and MCP in Balb/c mice for 16 weeks; samples were analyzed for colonic histopathology and immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AOM at 15 mg/kg for 4 weeks induced optimal GAL-3 and VEGF immunostaining. Furthermore, MCPA treatment reduced GAL-3 expression in the colon of AOM-treated mice compared to MCP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MCPA probiotic microbeads increase bioactivity and chemopreventative effect against pre-cancerous colonic lesions and adenocarcinoma through inhibition of GAL-3 and VEGF in the Balb/c mouse model of colonic carcinogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Durban University of Technology, Steve Biko, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
authors.forename: Frederick
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Odun-Ayo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Durban University of Technology, Steve Biko, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mellem
authors.affiliation: Optics and Image Centre, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
authors.forename: Thajasvarie
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Naicker
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Applied Science, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa reddyl@cput.ac.za lalinisai@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Lalini
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Reddy
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D001397:Azoxymethane; D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D018890:Chemoprevention; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D037161:Galectins / Q000378:metabolism; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010368:Pectins; D019936:Probiotics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D037161:Galectins; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D010368:Pectins; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D001397:Azoxymethane
keywords: Azoxymethane; colonic cancer; galectin-3; immunohistochemistry; modified citrus pectin; probiotic