The Effects Of Different Wheat Types On Colon Cancer Risk

Abstract

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States (1). A variety of risk factors play a role in the etiology of this disease, including environmental risk factors (2, 3). Because of this, considerable research has gone into finding ways to increase consumption of foods that have an inverse association with colon cancer (4). While several epidemiological studies have shown an association between a diet high in whole grains and a lower risk of colon cancer, experimental studies have been inconsistent. This study looks at the effects of wheat class on colon carcinogenesis during the post-initiation stage of colon cancer development in rats. It also examined whether intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) commercially known as Kernza TM, a perennial grass being developed as an alternate to wheat, modifies colon cancer risk in a way similar to red wheat. A major endpoint of this study was enumeration of colonic phenotypic markers known as aberrant crypt foci (ACF), an early pre- cancerous lesion. Additionally, based on previous findings indicating that the type and amount of mucin production is a marker for dysplasia (5), changes in mucin production was examined as well. Finally, CD44, a putative marker of cancer stem cells, was determined immunohistochemically as an additional indicator of colon cancer risk. It was found that there was a significantly greater number of sialomucin-stained ACF (SIM_ACF), and mucin-depleted ACF (MDF) staining in white wheat and vs. red wheat, indicating a higher degree of dysplasia in white wheat. This shows a greater protective effect of red wheat vs. white wheat in the ACF of the colon. Moreover, staining for CD44 was found to be higher in ACFs of white wheat and IWG vs. red wheat. The correlation between the two, indicated by a dysplasia score, 0.7029 (p<0.0001) demonstrates a positive relationship between CD44 and dysplasia. The reduced number of dysplastic markers along with a higher dysplasia score in white wheat and IWG vs. red wheat supports a protective effect of red wheat.