Dietary conjugated linolenic acid inhibits azoxymethane-induced colonic aberrant crypt foci in rats. Kohno H, Suzuki R, Noguchi R, Hosokawa M, Miyashita K, Tanaka T. Department of Pathology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan. h-kohno@kanazawa-med.ac.jp The modifying effects of dietary feeding of conjugated linolenic acid (CLN) isolated from the seeds of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) on the development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) were investigated in male F344 rats to predict its possible cancer chemopreventive efficacy. The effect of CLN on the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) index in colonic ACF was also examined. Rats were given subcutaneous injections of AOM (20 mg/kg body weight) once a week for 2 weeks to induce ACF. They also received the experimental diet containing 0.01%, 0.1% or 1% CLN for 5 weeks, starting one week before the first dosing of AOM. AOM exposure produced a substantial number of ACF (108 +/- 21/rat) at the end of the study (week 4). Dietary administration of CLN caused a significant reduction in the frequency of ACF: 87 +/- 14 (19.4% reduction, P < 0.05) at a dose of 0.01%, 69 +/- 28 (36.1% reduction, P < 0.01) at a dose of 0.1% and 40 +/- 6 (63.0% reduction, P < 0.001) at a dose of 1%. Also, CLN administration lowered the PCNA index and induced apoptosis in ACF. These findings might suggest possible chemopreventive activity of CLN in the early phase of colon tumorigenesis through modulation of cryptal cell proliferation activity and/or apoptosis. Jpn J Cancer Res 2002 Feb;93(2):133-42 J NUtr Biochem, 4/04 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.