Factors Determining the Apoptotic Response of Colorectal Carcinoma Cells to Butyrate, a Fermentation Product Derived from Dietary Fiber (2009)

Title:

Factors Determining the Apoptotic Response of Colorectal Carcinoma Cells to Butyrate, a Fermentation Product Derived from Dietary Fiber

Key words:

butyrate

Research Institution:

The Commonwealth Medical College

Location:

Pennsylvania

Researcher:

Michael Bordonaro

Project Description:

Studies that examine the effects of dietary fiber and its degradation product, butyrate, on the risk of colon cancer have resulted in conflicting findings. Butyrate causes programmed cell death of colon cancer cells by increasing levels of Wnt signaling. However, some colon cancer cells develop resistance to butyrate. This study examined the mechanisms of the Wnt signaling pathway by using cells that resist the apoptotic effects of butyrate. An understanding of how malignant cells in the colon evade the apoptotic effects of butyrate will help explain the role of dietary fiber and butyrate in colon cancer.