Thf effect of bifidobacteria and complex carbohydrate consumption on colonic precancerous lesions

Several studies suggest that bifidobacteria may decrease the risk of colon cancer This study examined the effect of brfidobactena and nondigestible carbohydrates on dimethylhydrazme (DMH)-induced preneoplastic lestons (aberrant crypt foci, ACF) in the colon and bifidobacteria and Clostndtum perinngens numbers in cecal contents of rats Rats received s c injections of DMH (15 mg/kg b.w ) twice 3 days apart Three days after carcinogen administration, the treatments were begun. The treatments were basal diet ( AIN 76) with skim milk (Bas/skim), or the following diets with daily gavage of 10⁸ bifidobacteria basal (Bas/btfO, 2% fructose ohgosacchande (FOSbifi). 2% soybean ohgosacchande (SBO/bifi), 2% wheat bran ohgosacchande (WBO/bifi) and 8 4% wheat bran (to achieve same ohgosaccharide as WBO) (WB/bifi) After 4 weeks of treatment, number of ACF and cecal bifidobacteria and < C. perfnngenn were enumerated. Rats fed WBO/bifi had significantly greater number of bifidobacteria than Bas/skim, Bas'bifi, FOS/bifi and WB/bifi. There were no significant differences in the number of C. perfrmgens or ACF among the groups. However, rats fed FOS 'bifi showed a trend toward lower numbers of ACF. These results suggest that the combination of bifidobacteria and FOS may reduce the risk of colon cancer (Supported by USD A CSRS}.