A Galacto-Oligosaccharides Preparation Derived From Lactulose Protects Against Colorectal Cancer Development in an Animal Model

• Published in: Frontiers in microbiology Vol. 9; p. 2004
• Main Authors: Fernández, Javier, Moreno, F J, Olano, Agustín, Clemente, Alfonso, Villar, Claudio J, Lombó, Felipe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 31-08-2018
• Subjects: colorectal cancer; galacto-oligosaccharides; gut microbiota; Microbiology; prebiotic; prevention; colorectal cancer; prebiotic; gut microbiota; prevention; galacto-oligosaccharides
• ISSN: 1664-302X; 1664-302X
• DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02004

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common neoplasias worldwide, and its incidence is increasing. Consumption of prebiotics is a useful strategy in order to prevent this important disease. These nutraceutical compounds might exert protective biological functions as antitumors. In order to test the chemopreventive effect of GOS-Lu (galacto-oligosaccharides derived from lactulose) prebiotic preparation against this cancer, an animal model (
F344) was used. In this model, two doses of azoxymethane (10 mg/kg) and two treatments with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) were administered to the animals. Animals were fed for 20 weeks, and either control drinking water or drinking water containing 10% (w/w) GOS-Lu prebiotic preparation was provided to them. Animals were sacrificed after those 20 weeks, and their digestive tract tissues were analyzed. The results revealed a statistically significant reduction in the number of colon tumors in the GOS-Lu cohort with respect to control animals. Metagenomics sequencing was used for studying colon microbiota populations, revealing significant reductions in populations of pro-inflammatory bacteria families and species, and significant increases in interesting beneficial populations, such as
. Therefore, oral administration of the prebiotic GOS-Lu preparation may be an effective strategy for preventing CRC.