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Genotoxic effect of bile acids on human normal and tumour colon cells and protection by dietary antioxidants and butyrate

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Abstract

Background

Colorectal cancer is the second cause of death for tumour worldwide. Among the risk factors for this disease the dietary habits seem to have a pivotal role. An elevated intake of fats causes a high release in the gut lumen of bile acids that are positively correlated with colorectal cancer, since they act as detergents and proliferation promoters. Recently, it was evidenced that bile acids can also be able to induce DNA damage.

Aim of the study

In this study the genotoxicity of deoxycholic acid (DCA) and chenodeoxycholic acid CDCA) has been evaluated in human normal colonocytes derived from 60 colon biopsies and in tumour cells. The involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the oxidative DNA damage was assessed. In addition, the protective effect exerted by both two well-known antioxidants commonly present in the diet, β-carotene and α-tocopherol, and butyrate which is known to be involved in the regulation of several cellular functions, has also been tested.

Methods

The DNA damage was evaluated by the “comet assay” or single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) both in its conventional use and by the Endonuclease III modified method, which allow to detect the presence of oxidized pyrimidines.

Results

Bile acids (CDA and CDCA) resulted genotoxic on both normal and tumour human colon cells. The inclusion of the endonuclease III digestion step in the comet assay demonstrated that bile acids induced an oxidative DNA damage. In addition, treatment of colonocytes with bile acids in the presence of the antioxidants (β-carotene, α-tocopherol) and Na-butyrate caused a reduction of DNA damage.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that bile acids may be involved in the tumour initiation by inducing a DNA oxidative damage, and so add further evidences to the preventive properties of antioxidants present in the Mediterranean diet.

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Acknowledgments

We are very grateful to Dr. A. Solinas and Dr. F. Farroni for their competent technical assistance in the endoscopical evaluation and biopsies sampling. We would particularly thank Dr.ssa M. R. Mantovani Cucchia Administrator and Dr. M. Badolato, Medical Director respe of Clinica Porta Sole in Perugia, Italy, to put the structure at our disposal.

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  1. Dept. Specialità Medico-Chirurgiche e Sanità Pubblica, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06126, Perugia, Italy

    Patrizia Rosignoli, Roberto Fabiani, Angelo De Bartolomeo, Raffaela Fuccelli, Maria Antonietta Pelli & Guido Morozzi

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  1. Patrizia Rosignoli
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Correspondence to Guido Morozzi.

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Rosignoli, P., Fabiani, R., De Bartolomeo, A. et al. Genotoxic effect of bile acids on human normal and tumour colon cells and protection by dietary antioxidants and butyrate. Eur J Nutr 47, 301–309 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-008-0725-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-008-0725-8

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