Dietary supplementation with pectin and guar gum on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats

• Published in: Carcinogenesis (New York) 1992-05, Vol.13 (5), p.815-818
• Main Authors: Heitman, D.W., Hardman, W.E., Cameron, I.L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine; Adenocarcinoma - chemically induced; Adenocarcinoma - prevention & control; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinogenesis, carcinogens and anticarcinogens; Carcinogens; Colonic Neoplasms - chemically induced; Colonic Neoplasms - prevention & control; Dietary Fiber - administration & dosage; Dietary Fiber - pharmacology; Dimethylhydrazines; Energy Intake; Foods and miscellaneous; Galactans - administration & dosage; Galactans - pharmacology; Male; Mannans - administration & dosage; Mannans - pharmacology; Medical sciences; Pectins - administration & dosage; Pectins - pharmacology; Plant Gums; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Tumors
• ISSN: 0143-3334; 1460-2180
• DOI: 10.1093/carcin/13.5.815

The effect of dietary supplementation with pectin and/or guar gum on 1,2-dimethyIhydrazine (DMH)induced colon cardnogenesis was studied using 120 male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were given a weekly injection of DMH for 8 weeks and were maintained on a basal fiber-free diet supplemented with 5% cellulose. The rats were then subdivided into four groups and kept on the basal fiber-free diet supplemented with either no fiber, 10% pectin, 10% guar gum or a combination of 5% pectin/5% guar gum for a period of 24 weeks. The 8 weeks of DMH administration were defined as the initiation stage of carcinogenesis and the next 24 weeks were defined as the promotional stage of carcinogenesis. Food and water were available ad libitum. The rats were killed 32 weeks after the start of the experiment and tumor incidence, location and frequency in the colon were determined. Other parameters measured were body weight and caloric intake. Dietary fiber supplementation with 10% pectin or with 10% guar gum but not with the combination of 5% pectin/5% guar gum (fed during the promotional stage of carcinogenesis), was found to suppress colon cancer incidence to a significant extent.