Brown Flaxseed Prevents DNA Damage Induced by 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine in a Pre-Clinical Model

Abstract

The study evaluated the effects of brown flaxseed supplementation in natura on the prevention of DNA damage induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) in vivo. The experimental groups were Negative and Positive Controls and the protocols of Pre-treatment, Simultaneous, Post-treatment, Pre+continuous in relation to the supplementation of brown flaxseed and administration with carcinogenic compound. The results showed that brown flaxseed supplementation does not cause genomic and genetic damage. In addition, brown flaxseed showed a chemopreventive food that reduced the damages assessed by the comet assay up to 94.07x and the damages assessed by the micronucleus assay up to 91.88x. Brown flaxseed supplementation also increased the frequency of monocytes and lymphocytes indicating immunological improvements. Thus, brown flaxseed supplementation is considered safe and reduces the frequency of DNA damage that can lead to tumors. Therefore, if these events are confirmed in humans, flaxseed will have reinforced its indication as a functional chemopreventive food in the prevention of cancer.

The Use of Natural Fiber-Rich Food Product Is Safe and Reduces Aberrant Crypt Foci in a Pre-Clinical Model

“…Another fact that can explain this finding is that the spleen of rats is very proficient in sequestering cells with DNA damage (genomic damage—comet; chromosomal damage—micronuclei) [ 62 ] compared to mice, for example. These data are corroborated by studies carried out with mice that demonstrated that DMH was capable of causing genotoxic damage [ 10 , 11 , 14 , 19 , 24 ]. The study by Pesarini et al [ 10 ] demonstrated that DMH (30 mg/Kg) caused an average frequency of 99.60 ± 0.22 injured cells for every 100 cells analyzed.…”

“…Furthermore, NFRFP increased chow total dietary fiber by 20.94%, a desired characteristic since dietary fibers may be associated with decreased incidence of colorectal cancer. Diet fiber exerts beneficial effects such as increasing fecal volume, regulating intestinal flora, and promoting the dilution and/or adsorption of possible carcinogens [ 6 , 8 , 9 , 11 ].…”

“…The pre-treatment and simultaneous treatment protocols are indicative of which substances can act by desmutagenesis, meaning a compound or products of its metabolism that can act directly on the damage inducer by chelation or enzymatic inactivation [ 10 , 11 , 19 , 24 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 66 , 67 ]. This mechanism is described for different foods or food components [ 10 , 11 , 14 , 19 , 21 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 28 ] and fibers [ 10 , 11 , 14 , 19 , 20 , 24 , 26 , 29 ].…”

“…For the induction of aberrant crypt foci (ACF), chemical agent 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine (DMH) (Sigma ® , St. Louis, MO, USA, CAS No. 306-37-6) was used at a dose of 40 mg/kg of body weight (BW), diluted in aqueous solution of ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA—0.37 mg/mL), with pH correction to 6.5 by adding 0.1 N NAOH [ 18 ], intraperitoneally (ip), with modification by Limeiras et al [ 19 ], Navarro et al [ 14 ], Pamplona-Silva et al [ 11 ], and Pesarini et al [ 10 ]. Two doses were administered per week for two weeks [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”

“…Dietary fibers are non-digestible components that contribute to: (1) acceleration of the passage of metabolic waste products through the body; (2) adsorption of toxins; (3) maintaining the integrity of the digestive tract; (4) substrate for synthesis of short-chain fatty acids that provide energy for colonocytes; and (5) reduction of intestinal colonization by bacteria responsible for metabolizing and/or releasing pro-carcinogens and carcinogens [ 6 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Among the fibers possessing this capacity, those present in brown flaxseed [ 11 ], chia [ 12 ], and green banana flour [ 13 , 14 ], oats [ 15 ], and quinoa [ 16 ] stand out. Although textured soy protein does not have large amounts of dietary fiber, this food is resistant to digestion and absorption in the small intestine due to its protein constitution, which in turn can modulate the effects of prebiotics on the intestinal microbiota and prevent colorectal cancer [ 17 ].…”