title: Functional Effects of Prebiotic Fructans in Colon Cancer and Calcium Metabolism in Animal Models.
abstract: Inulin-type fructans are polymers of fructose molecules and are known for their capacity to enhance absorption of calcium and magnesium, to modulate gut microbiota and energy metabolism, and to improve glycemia. We evaluated and compared the effects of Chicory inulin "Synergy 1®" and inulin from Mexican agave "Metlin®" in two experimental models of colon cancer and bone calcium metabolism in mice and rats. Inulins inhibited the development of dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis and colon cancer in mice; these fructans reduced the concentration of tumor necrosis factor alpha and prevented the formation of intestinal polyps, villous atrophy, and lymphoid hyperplasia. On the other hand, inulin treatments significantly increased bone densitometry (femur and vertebra) in ovariectomized rats without altering the concentration of many serum biochemical parameters and urinary parameters. Histopathology results were compared between different experimental groups. There were no apparent histological changes in rats treated with inulins and a mixture of inulins-isoflavones. Our results showed that inulin-type fructans have health-promoting properties related to enhanced calcium absorption, potential anticancer properties, and anti-inflammatory effects. The use of inulin as a prebiotic can improve health and prevent development of chronic diseases such as cancer and osteoporosis.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación Preclínica (UNIPREC), Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
authors.forename: Marisol
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rivera-Huerta
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación Preclínica (UNIPREC), Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
authors.forename: Vania Lorena
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Lizárraga-Grimes
authors.affiliation: Colegio de Ciencias y Humanidades, Plantel Sur, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
authors.forename: Ibrahim Guillermo
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5897-7100
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Castro-Torres
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación Preclínica (UNIPREC), Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
authors.forename: Mabel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tinoco-Méndez
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación Preclínica (UNIPREC), Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
authors.forename: Lucía
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Macías-Rosales
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación Preclínica (UNIPREC), Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Bartéz
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Genética y Bioestadística, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
authors.forename: Graciela Guadalupe
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Tapia-Pérez
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Patología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Romero-Romero
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación Preclínica (UNIPREC), Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
authors.forename: María Isabel
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9381-3673
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Gracia-Mora
mesh_terms: D027882:Agave; D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000378:metabolism*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003720:Densitometry; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005630:Fructans / Q000737:chemistry*; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007444:Inulin / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D056692:Prebiotics; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D005630:Fructans; D010936:Plant Extracts; D056692:Prebiotics; D007444:Inulin