Chemopreventive potential of carotenoid rich foods on chemically induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in Fisher 344 male rats.

A62

Carotenoids are considered as one of the most powerful phytochemicals in protecting against free radical damage due to their potent antioxidative properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of carotenoids rich foods; carrots (CAR), Mangoes (MAN), tomato juice (TMJ) and watermelon juice (WMJ) at 2.5 and 5.0% levels on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in Fisher 344 rats. Rats were randomly assigned into 9 groups (n=6) and fed AIN-93G as control (CON), and diets containing 2.5 and 5% CAR, MAN, TMJ and WMJ. The rats were given 2 azoxymethane injections at 7 and 8 wks of age and were killed at 17wk of age by CO₂ asphyxiation. ACF were significantly (P<0.05) higher in CON than in rats fed CAR, MAN, TMJ and WMJ. Total ACF (± SEM) in CON was 154.4 ± 2, in rats fed 2.5% CAR, MAN, TMJ and WMJ total ACF were; 34.6 ± 2, 30.3 ± 1, 29.3 ± 4 and 40.7 ± 2, respectively, and in rats fed 5% CAR, MAN, TMJ and WMJ ACF were; 28.6 ± 3, 28.6 ± 3, 28.3 ± 2 and 39± 15, respectively. Total hepatic glutathione-S-transferase (GST) (mg/μmol), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase activities were significantly higher in rats fed carotenoid rich foods compared to CON. These results showed that feeding carotenoid rich foods to rats significantly (p<0.05) reduced the formation of ACF and may thus have chemopreventive potential if incorporated into diets rather than their individual bioactive components.