Research Projects > 2009 Grantees

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.