title: Açaí Berries Inhibit Colon Tumorigenesis in Azoxymethane/Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Treated Mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of açaí against azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colorectal cancer development.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of açaí on tumorigenesis was assessed by evaluating tumor incidence, multiplicity and invasiveness in the mouse colon. The levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α], interleukin [IL]-1β, and IL-6) were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Protein levels of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated death promoter (Bad) and cleaved-caspase-3 were assessed by immunoblotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Administration of pellets containing 5% açaí powder reduced the incidences of both colonic adenoma and cancer (adenoma, 23.1% vs 76.9%, respectively, p=0.006; cancer, 15.4% vs 76.9%, respectively, p=0.002). In the açaí-treated mice, the MPO, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels in the colon were significantly down-regulated. Açaí inhibited PCNA and Bcl-2 expression and increased Bad and cleaved-caspase-3 expression.In vitrostudies demonstrated that açaí treatment reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and COX-2 in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Açaí demonstrated protective effects against AOM/DSS-induced colon carcinogenesis, which suggests that the intake of açaí may be beneficial for the prevention of human colon cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Yoon Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Yoon Jeong
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.|Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Nayoung
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Ryoung Hee
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Seonmin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye Seung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Tumor Microenvironment Global Core Research Center, Seoul National University College of Pharmacy, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ha-Na
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Tumor Microenvironment Global Core Research Center, Seoul National University College of Pharmacy, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Joon
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Surh
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.|Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong Ho
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001397:Azoxymethane; D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D002273:Carcinogens; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D065748:Euterpe; D019254:Genes, bcl-2 / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011208:Powders / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D002273:Carcinogens; D016207:Cytokines; D011208:Powders; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D009195:Peroxidase; D001397:Azoxymethane
keywords: Anti-inflammatory; Açaí berry; Colorectal neoplasms; Proapoptotic