Prevention of aberrant crypt foci formation by dietary Chinese yam (D. opposita THUNB.) in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-treated mice

Abstract

To clarify the physiological effects of dietary Chinese yam (Nagaimo) on colon cancer in vivo, the effects of dietary Nagaimo on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) formation in the large intestine of mice were investigated. After 8 weeks of feeding raw or boiled Nagaimo and DMH administration, DMH-induced ACF formation was found to be significantly suppressed in the large intestines of all mice. DNA microarray analysis showed that levels of apoptosis-inducing gene expression in the large intestine of animals fed dietary Nagaimo were increased in comparison to those fed the control diet. The results of the present study clearly demonstrated that DMH-induced ACF formation was inhibited in the mouse large intestine by dietary Nagaimo intake. Daily ingestion of Nagaimo may thus serve to suppress colon carcinoma in humans.