Microencapsulated Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus gasseri in Combination with Quercetin Inhibit Colorectal Cancer Development in ApcMin/+ Mice.

Iván Benito,Miguel Barajas,Ana Martínez-Peñuela,Ignacio J Encío,Fermín I Milagro,María Alfaro,Florencio Marzo

doi:10.3390/ijms22094906

Abstract

Recent studies have suggested that flavonoids such as quercetin and probiotics such as Bifidobacterium bifidum (Bf) and Lactobacillus gasseri (Lg) could play a relevant role in inhibiting colon cancer cell growth. Our study investigated the role of dietary supplementation with microencapsulated probiotics (Bf and Lg) along with quercetin in the development of mouse colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: Adenomatous polyposis coli/multiple intestinal neoplasia (ApcMin/+) mice were fed a standard diet or the same diet supplemented with microencapsulated probiotics (Bf and Lg strains, 107 CFU/100 g food) or both probiotics strains plus microencapsulated quercetin (15 mg/100 g food) for 73 days. Changes in body and organ weights, energy metabolism, intestinal microbiota, and colon tissue were determined. The expression of genes related to the Wnt pathway was also analyzed in colon samples. Results: Dietary supplementation with microencapsulated probiotics or microencapsulated probiotics plus quercetin reduced body weight loss and intestinal bleeding in ApcMin/+ mice. An improvement in energy expenditure was observed after 8 weeks but not after 10 weeks of treatment. A supplemented diet with microencapsulated Bf and Lg reduced the number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and adenomas by 45% and 60%, respectively, whereas the supplementation with Bf, Lg and quercetin decreased the number of ACF and adenomas by 57% and 80%, respectively. Microencapsulated Bf and Lg in combination with quercetin could exert inhibition of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the colon of ApcMin/+ mice Conclusions: The administration of microencapsulated Bf and Lg, individually or in combination with quercetin, inhibits the CRC development in ApcMin/+ mice.

Highlights

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent type of cancer in men, and second in women, and the fourth cause of mortality associated with cancer [1,2]
Our study examines the potential effect of dietary supplementation with microencapsulated probiotics with or without microencapsulated quercetin, in the prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC) and the amelioration of signs associated with this disease in ApcMin/+ mice, by assessment of body weight, energy expenditure, respiratory quotient, organ weight, fat
The present study demonstrates that the supplementation with microencapsulated Bf and Lactobacillus gasseri (Lg) with or without microencapsulated quercetin could alleviate some signs associated with CRC development

Summary

Introduction

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent type of cancer in men, and second in women, and the fourth cause of mortality associated with cancer [1,2]. Approximately 50% of colorectal cancer cases occur in developed countries [3,4]. Colon cancer development is usually associated with body weight loss, muscle and fat tissue loss, as well as changes in energy expenditure [5]. Gastrointestinal disorders, anorexia, taste changes, and early satiety have been described [6]. These associated alterations are important because they cause a worsening of disease diagnosis and significantly affect the quality of life and life span [7]

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Results

Conclusion