The Role of Dietary Fiber and Gut Microflora in Prevention of Colorectal Cancer (2009)

Title:

The Role of Dietary Fiber and Gut Microflora in Prevention of Colorectal Cancer

Key words:

gut microflora, butyrate, DNA/histone, low-fiber diet

Research Institution:

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Location:

North Carolina

Researcher:

Scott Bultman

Project Description:

This study investigated the mechanistic link between dietary fiber, gut microflora, butyrate, and DNA/histone modifications that result in gene expression changes that alter colorectal cancer susceptibility. An inbred strain of genetically-identical mice were maintained with or without intestinal bacteria and provided with two high-fiber diets that produced different levels of butyrate and a low-fiber control diet. A carcinogen was used to induce cancer, and butyrate levels and the number/size of colorectal tumors were scored.