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Health News Archive 581 - Colon Cancer
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Blueberry Extract Linked to 57% Reduction in Pre-Cancerous Colon Lesions

Pterostilbene, a compound found in blueberries, may prevent the development of tumors in the colon, researchers reported.  Blueberries are the U.S. version of the English bilberry.

Researchers from Rutgers University told attendees at the 233rd national meeting of the American Chemical Society that rats supplemented with pterostilbene had 57 percent fewer pre-cancerous lesions in the colon than rats not supplemented with the blueberry compound.

"To our knowledge, our studies are the first to show that administration of a blueberry constituent, pterostilbene, strongly inhibits the development of early pre-neoplastic lesions in the colon," lead researcher Bandaru Reddy told attendees in Chicago.

Reddy and co-workers conducted a small pilot study with 18 rats given a compound (azoxymethane) to induce colon cancer in a manner similar to human colon cancer development. Half of the animals were then placed on a balanced daily diet, while the other nine were given the same diet supplemented with pterostilbene (40 parts per million).

At the end of an eight-week study period, Reddy and collaborators from the USDA's Agricultural Research Service and the University of Oklahoma, found that the pterostilbene-supplemented rats showed 57 percent fewer pre-cancerous lesions in their colon in comparison to the control group. They also report that the blueberry compound reduced colonic cell proliferation and inhibited certain genes involved in inflammation, both of which are considered colon cancer risk factors.

"The results of the study suggest that naturally occurring components offer an attractive alternative for the prevention of colon cancer," said Reddy. "Our results may support dietary prevention of colon cancer and health benefits of blueberries."  Eighty per cent of colorectal cancers may be preventable by dietary changes. It is also one of the most curable cancers if diagnosis is made early.

Source: B.S. Reddy, H. Newmark, N. Suh, A.M. Rimando, and C.V. Rao. Novel approaches for colon cancer prevention by types of dietary fat, pterostilbene and other food components 233rd national meeting of the American Chemical Society; March 25 2007, Abstract: AGFC 009.

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