Abstract
Inhibitory effect of four carotenoids prevalent in human blood and tissues against the formation of colonic aberrant crypt foci was examined in Sprague-Dawley rats. They received three intrarectal doses of N-methylnitrosourea in weak 1, and a daily gavage of de-escalated doses of carotenoids during weeks 2 and 5. Lycopene, lutein, alpha-carotene and palm carotenes (a mixture of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and lycopene) inhibited the development of aberrant crypt foci quantitated at week 6, but beta-carotene did not. The results suggested that lycopene and lutein in small doses may potentially prevent colon carcinogenesis.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Anticarcinogenic Agents / pharmacology*
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Carotenoids / pharmacology*
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Colonic Neoplasms / chemically induced
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Colonic Neoplasms / prevention & control*
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Female
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Intestinal Mucosa / drug effects*
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Lutein / pharmacology
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Lycopene
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Neoplasms, Experimental / chemically induced
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Neoplasms, Experimental / prevention & control
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Precancerous Conditions / chemically induced
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Precancerous Conditions / prevention & control*
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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beta Carotene / pharmacology
Substances
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Anticarcinogenic Agents
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beta Carotene
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Carotenoids
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alpha-carotene
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Lycopene
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Lutein