Journal of Nutrition and MetabolismVolume 2011 (2011), Article ID 868197, 9 pagesdoi:10.1155/2011/868197

Research Article

Combinational Effects of Prebiotics and Soybean against Azoxymethane-Induced Colon Cancer In Vivo

V. P. Gourineni,¹ M. Verghese,1,2 J. Boateng,¹ L. Shackelford,¹ N. K. Bhat,³ and L. T. Walker²

¹Nutrition Biochemistry and Carcinogenesis Laboratory, Department of Food and Animal Sciences, Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL 35762, USA²Department of Food Science, Alabama A&M University, P.O. Box 1628, Normal, AL 35762, USA³Department of Chemistry, Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL 35762, USA

Received 22 January 2011; Revised 18 April 2011; Accepted 28 May 2011

Academic Editor: M. Pagliassotti

Copyright © 2011 V. P. Gourineni et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Prebiotic fructans are nondigestible carbohydrates with numerous health benefits. Soybean is a rich source of phytonutrients such as isoflavones. The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemopreventive effects of prebiotics (Synergy1) and soybean meal (SM) at 5% and 10% levels alone and in combination on azoxymethane- (AOM-) induced colon carcinogenesis. After one wk of acclimatization, Fisher 344 male rats () were randomly assigned to 9 groups (). Control rats (C) were fed AIN-93G/M. Two s/c injections of AOM were administered to rats at 7 and 8 wk of age at 16 mg/kg body weight. Rats were killed by CO₂ asphyxiation at 45 wk. Tumor incidence (%) in treatment groups ranged from 40 to 75 compared to 100 in C. Results indicate that feeding prebiotics and soybean in combination significantly reduced incidence of AOM-induced colon tumors with implications for food industry in the food-product development.

1. Introduction

Cancer is the second most common cause of deaths after heart disease and accounts for one of every four deaths in the US [1]. Despite advances in technology and public health awareness, colon cancer prevalence is expected to increase in aged population adding economic burden to the nation [2].

Gut-associated cancers are influenced by diet [3]. Epidemiological and experimental studies showed relation between dietary consumption patterns and prevention of chronic diseases [4, 5]. Research on diet-disease correlation using epidemiological and animal experiments showed single nutrient effects in disease prevention [6–8]. However, nutrition-health interface becomes more apparent by exploring the synergistic action of foods in animal models [9]. Recently, research is focused on identifying specific combinations of phytochemicals or foods offering greater chemopreventive potential. Understanding the influence of various bioactive compounds on molecular interactions and immunomodulatory responses led to the emerging strategy of combinational chemoprevention [10].

Prebiotics are associated positively in the prevention of colon cancer by modulating colonic environment [11]. A combination of long-chain inulin and short-chain oligofructose causes a slow breakdown of fructans which leads to direct (stimulation of probiotics) and indirect (bone health, lipid metabolism, and prevents obstipation or diarrhea) effects in the colon. In addition to nutritional-health benefits, prebiotics (Synergy1) exhibits characteristic functional properties allowing its incorporation into a wide range of foods such as dairy, breads, and confectionaries [12].

Epidemiological studies in Asian populations demonstrate the influence of soybean consumption in the prevention of certain chronic diseases such as cancer and osteoporosis [13–15]. Soybean (Glycine max) is unique with phytochemicals such as isoflavones, saponins, phytates, protease inhibitors, phenolic acids, lecithin, dietary fiber, phytosterols, and omega-3-fatty acids. Metabolism of isoflavones such as genistin, daidzein and glycitin occurs in the presence of gut microflora that influences their bioavailability [16, 17].

Colonic adenomas are benign neoplastic polyps resulting from the accumulation of genetic alterations in normal colonic epithelium leading to malignant adenocarcinomas and metastasis [18–20]. Adenomas are useful biomarkers in evaluating the chemopreventive potential of various foods at different stages of cancer. Colons of F344 rats treated with AOM (potent colon-specific carcinogen) share similar histochemical properties to those of humans [21]. Therefore, AOM-F344 rat model is most extensively used in colon cancer research in identifying agents effective in control of the disease. Azoxymethane, due to its high potency, is usually administered as two injections with one week apart adequate dosage to induce colon cancer in rodents [21]. Although various studies have established the positive health benefits of prebiotics and soybean, it would be useful to understand the synergistic actions of these dietary ingredients at specific combinations that contribute as significant sources of fiber and protein in a normal balanced diet. The objective of the study was to evaluate the chemopreventive potential of prebiotics and soybean meal at 5% and 10% alone and in combinations in reducing colon cancer using a Fisher 344-rat model.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Animal Housing and Diets

Ninety Fisher 344 male weanling rats (21 days old) were obtained from Harlan, Ind, USA, and housed in stainless steel wire cages at 2 rats per cage and acclimatized for one wk prior to administration of experimental diets. Experimental design is illustrated in Figure 1. Rats were randomly divided, assigned to nine groups (), and fed the following diets: AIN-93G/M as control [22, 23] and treatment groups with prebiotics (5%), (10%), soybean meal (5%), (10%), prebiotics + soybean meal (5%  +  5%), (10%  +  10%), (5%  +  10%), and (10%  +  5%). Saline controls were used as negative controls in the study but not reported. Dietary modifications were made to fiber, casein and cornstarch (Table 1). All rats were housed and maintained according to standard protocol. Biweekly body weights and daily feed intakes were recorded. The diets were prepared once a month and stored at 4°C. Dietary ingredients were obtained from MP Biomedicals (Costa Mesa, Calif, USA). Prebiotics (Synergy1-Beneo) was obtained from Orafti (Teinen, Belgium), and soybean meal was obtained from a local natural food store (Garden Cove, Huntsville, Ala, USA), its composition is shown in Table 5. The protocol involving animals was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Alabama A&M University.

Table 1: Composition of dietsa (AIN93-M).

Ingredients
Control AIN93M
Prebiotic 5%
Prebiotic 10%
SM 5%
SM 10%
Prebiotic 5%  + SM  5%
Prebiotic 10%  + SM  10%
Prebiotic 5%  + SM  10%
Prebiotic 10%  + SM  5%

Corn starch
465.7
415.7
365.7
439.7
413.7
389.7
313.7
363.7
339.7

Casein
140
140
140
120
100
120
100
100
120

Fiber
50
50
50
46
42
46
42
42
46

Prebiotic
0
50
100
0
0
50
100
50
100

SM
0
0
0
50
100
50
100
100
50

Commonb Ingredients
344.3
344.3
344.3
344.3
344.3
344.3
344.3
344.3
344.3

aFormulations of diets based on AIN-93M [22, 23]. bCommon ingredients (g): dextrose, 155; sucrose, 100; soybean oil, 40 g; mineral mix (AIN-93M), 35; vitamin mix, 10; L-cysteine, 1.8; choline bitatrate, 2.5. Abbreviations: SM: soybean meal.

Figure 1: Experimental design of feeding control and treatment diets in F344 male rats. Scale is not proportional. (1) Control diet is based on AIN-93G/M (American Institute of Nutrition—93Growth/Maintenance) [22, 23]. (2) Treatment diets: 5%, 10% Prebiotics and Soybean meal fed singly and in combinations. (a) Rats: ; (Replicates = 5), (b) °C; Relative humidity = 50%, (c) day and night = 12 hr. each, (d) Azoxymethane (AOM/colon specific carcinogen) dose = 16 mg/kg of body weight. The protocol involving animals was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Alabama A&M University.

2.2. Chemicals

All chemicals excluding Azoxymethane (Midwestern Research Institute, NCI, Chemical Repository, Kansas City, Mo, USA) were obtained from Sigma Chemical Company (St. Louis, Mo, USA).

2.3. Carcinogen Injection and Sample Collection

Colon tumors were induced by injecting rats with two s/c injections of azoxymethane (AOM) in saline at 16 mg/kg body wt. at 7 and 8 weeks of age. To validate the preventive role of test diets in colon cancer development, animals were injected with carcinogen after 3 week administration of the test diets. At 45 week of their age, all rats were killed using CO₂ asphyxiation. Liver, colonic mucosal scrapings (CMS), and cecal samples were collected and stored at −80°C until further analysis. Femurs were harvested for mineral analysis.

2.4. Characterization of Colon Tumors

Tumor number, size, location, and TBR ratio (Tumors per tumor bearing rat ratio) were characterized [24].

2.5. Determination of Detoxification Enzyme

Glutathione-s-transferase (GST) activity (μmol/mg) in the liver and CMS were assayed [25]. Absorbance was measured at 340 nm at the end of 5 minutes of reaction using a microplate reader (Synergy HT, Biotek, USA).

2.6. Determination of Antioxidative Enzyme

Hepatic catalase activity (μmol/mg) was measured at 240 nm by monitoring the composition of H₂O₂ [26]. Total liver superoxide-dismutase (SOD) activity (μmol/mg) was measured at 480 nm using xanthine oxidase as substrate [27].

2.7. Cecal Bacterial Enzyme Assays (β-Glucosidase and β-Glucuronidase)

Bacterial enzyme activity (μmol/mL) of cecal contents was measured by the rate of p-nitrophenol release according to the modified method [28].

2.8. Bone Mineralization

Femurs were dry-ashed and prepared for analysis of selected minerals (Calcium-Ca, Phosphorus-P, Magnesium-Mg, Iron-Fe, and Zinc-Zn) in the bone using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy at specific wavelengths [29].

2.9. Statistical Analysis

Data were analyzed using SAS 9.1 statistical program (SAS, Cary, NC, USA). Results were expressed as means ± SEM. Significant differences among the treatment groups were determined by ANOVA, and means were separated using Tukey’s studentized range test at P  ≤  0.05.

3. Results

3.1. Feed Intake, Weight Gain, Cecal Weight, and Cecal pH

There were no significant differences in feed intake (g/day) in rats fed control and treatment diets (Table 2). However, weight gain (g/41 wk) was significantly higher in rats fed prebiotics (5% and 10%) and SM (10%) compared to control. Rats fed combinational diets of prebiotics + SM (10% + 10% and 10% + 5%) had significantly lower weight gain compared to rats fed control and other treatment diets. An inverse relationship was observed between cecal weight and cecal pH in rats fed control and treatment diets (Table 3). Cecal weight (g) was lowest in control fed rats. Rats fed prebiotics (10%) singly and in combination with SM (10%), (10% + 5%) had significantly higher cecal weight (g) compared to other treatment fed rats. Among combination diet fed groups, prebiotics + SM (10% + 10% and 5% + 10%) had significantly lower cecal pH compared to other groups. However, rats fed prebiotics showed significantly higher cecal weight (g) and lower cecal pH among the rats fed singly. Cecal wall weight (g) ranged from 1.2 (control) to 3.8 (prebiotic-10%), and represents the absorbed residual fatty acids in the wall of cecum.

Table 2: Feed intake and weight gain in rats fed prebiotic and soybean meal.

Groups
Feed intake (g/day)
Weight gain (g/41 wk)

Control (AIN-93G/M)
17.6  ±  0.91
310.2  ±  8.3b

Prebiotic (5%)
18.04  ±  0.6
361.4  ±  5.8a

Prebiotic (10%)
18.92  ±  0.6
370.1  ±  8.98a

SM (5%)
17.2  ±  0.4
353.3  ±  6.3ab

SM (10%)
18.2  ±  0.3
358.5  ±  8.2a

Prebiotic + SM (5% + 5%)
17.8  ±  0.5
327.0  ±  7.8b

Prebiotic + SM (10% + 10%)
18.1  ±  0.6
285.5  ±  6.3c

Prebiotic + SM (5% + 10%)
17.2  ±  0.4
333.5  ± 6.0ab

Prebiotic + SM (10% + 5%)
17.7  ±  0.4
286.6  ±  6.1c

Abbreviations: SM: soybean meal, values are expressed as means ± SEM. abcMeans in a column with the same letter are not significantly different using Tukey’s studentized range test (P  ≤  0.05).

Table 3: Effect of prebiotics and soybean meal on cecal weight and cecal pH.

Groups
Total cecal weight (g)
Cecal wall weight (g)
Cecal pH

Control (AIN-93G/M)
3.7 ± 0.22c
1.2 ± 0.1b
7.82 ± 0.03a

Prebiotic (5%)
5.0 ± 0.3b
2.9 ± 0.2a
6.4 ± 0.05e

Prebiotic (10%)
7.1 ± 0.4a
3.8 ± 0.3a
6.2 ± 0.10e

SM (5%)
3.9 ± 0.3bc
2.2 ± 0.2ab
7.6 ± 0.05a

SM (10%)
4.3 ± 0.2bc
2.2 ± 0.1ab
7.7 ± 0.04a

Prebiotic + SM (5% + 5%)
5.1 ± 0.2b
1.9 ± 0.1b
7.3 ± 0.06b

Prebiotic + SM (10% + 10%)
7.2 ± 0.4a
3.0 ± 0.1a
6.7 ± 0.03d

Prebiotic + SM (5% + 10%)
5.4 ± 0.5b
2.4 ± 0.2ab
6.9 ± 0.08c

Prebiotic + SM (10% + 5%)
6.8 ± 0.3a
2.5 ± 0.2ab
6.7 ± 0.04cd

Abbreviations: SM: soybean meal. Values are expressed as means ± SEM. abcdeMeans in a column with the same letter are not significantly different using Tukey’s studentized range test (P  ≤  0.05).

3.2. Distribution and Characterization of Colonic Tumors

3.2.1. Tumor Incidence

The percentage tumor incidence in rats fed control and treatment diets were higher in the distal colon compared to the proximal (Figure 2(a)). Rats fed control diet had higher tumor induction in proximal and distal colons compared to the rats fed treatment diets. Among the treatment groups, reductions in tumor incidence (%) in rats fed prebiotics and SM ranged from 25 to 40 compared to C. However, rats fed combinations of prebiotics and SM (10%) had the lowest tumor incidence (40%).

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 2: (a) Effect of feeding prebiotics and soybean meal on colon tumor incidence (percentage) in F344 male rats. (b) Effect of feeding prebiotics and soybean meal on colon tumor number () in F344 male rats. (c) Effect of feeding prebiotics and soybean meal on colonic tumor size (mm) in F344 male rats. Values are expressed as means ± SEM. abcdefBars with same letter are not significantly different using Tukey’s studentized range test (). (d) Effect of feeding prebiotics and soybean meal on tumors per tumor bearing rat ratio (TBR) in F344 male rats. represents the number of rats with tumors; is total number of rats at the end of the experiment. Values are expressed as means ± SEM. abcBars with same letter are not significantly different using Tukey’s studentized range test ().

3.2.2. Tumor Number

Rats fed control diets had highest tumor numbers in both proximal (18) and distal colon (36). Reductions (%) in total tumors in rats fed treatment diets ranged from a low of 77.7 (SM-5%) to high of 90.7 (prebiotics + SM-10%) compared to C (Figure 2(b)). Among rats fed treatment diets, prebiotics (10%) and combination diet fed rats (prebiotics + SM-10%) had the lowest number of total tumors. No proximal tumors were seen in rats fed (prebiotics  +  SM-5%).

3.2.3. Tumor Size

Compared to control fed rats, rats fed treatment diets had smaller tumor (mm) both in the proximal and distal colon (Figure 2(c)). Rats fed control diet, prebiotics, and SM singly had larger tumor (mm) in distal than proximal colon. However, rats fed combination diets of prebiotics + SM (10%, 5% + 10%) had smaller tumor (mm) in distal colon. Reductions (%) in tumor size (mm) in rats fed combination diets of prebiotics and SM ranged from a low of 50 (prebiotics + SM-10%) to high of 77.7 (prebiotics  + SM-5%).

3.2.4. Tumors/Tumor-Bearing Rat Ratio (TBR)

Rats fed the control diet had higher (5.4) tumors/tumor-bearing rat (TBR) ratio (Figure 2(d)). TBR in rats fed treatment diets ranged from 1.16 to 1.71. TBR ratios were similar in rats fed combination diets except in rats fed prebiotics + SM (10%). Reductions (%) in TBR ratio in rats fed single treatment diets ranged from a low of 62.2 (SM-5%) to high of 71.1 (prebiotics 10%) and in rats fed combination diets ranged from 73.3 (prebiotics + SM-10%) to 74.2 (5%, 5% + 10% and 10% + 5%) compared to control. Overall, rats fed combination diets had reduced TBR, tumor number, and smaller tumor (mm) compared to rats fed prebiotics and SM singly (Table 5).

3.3. Hepatic and Colonic Glutathione-s-Transferase (GST) Activities

Liver GST activity (μmol/mg) in rats fed treatment diets was significantly higher than control fed rats (Figure 3(a)). GST activity (μmol/mg) in treatment groups ranged from a low of 16.4 (SM-5%) to high of 28.3 (prebiotics + SM-10%). There was over two- to fourfold increase in hepatic GST activity (μmol/mg) in rats fed treatment diets compared to the control fed rats. Among treatment groups, rats fed combination diets of prebiotics + SM showed significantly higher GST activity (μmol/mg) than rats fed SM singly. Similar trends were observed with CMS GST activities (μmol/mg) (Figure 3(b)). CMS GST activities (μmol/mg) were significantly higher in rats fed SM (10%), prebiotics + SM (5%, 10%, 5% + 10%, 10% + 5%) compared to control fed rats. Among rats fed combination diets, colonic GST activity (μmol/mg) ranged from a low of 5.2 (prebiotics + SM-5%) to high of 9.0 (prebiotics + SM).

Figure 3: Effect of feeding prebiotics and soybean meal on (a) hepatic GST (b) colonic GST activity (μmol/mg) in F344 male rats. Abbreviations: SM: soybean meal, GST: glutathione-s-transferase. Values are expressed as means ± SEM. abcdefBars with same letter are not significantly different using Tukey’s studentized range test ().

3.4. Antioxidative Enzyme Activities

Catalase activity (CAT) was significantly higher in rats fed prebiotic and SM in combinations compared to the control rats (Figure 4(a)). Among treatment groups, rats fed prebiotic  +  SM (10%) had highest (56.3) catalase activity (μmol/mg), accounting for a two fold increase in rats fed treatment diets. Rats fed control diet showed significantly lower superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) (μmol/mg) compared to rats fed treatment diets (Figure 4(b)). SOD activity (μmol/mg) ranged from a low of 2.9 ± 0.09 in rats fed the control diet to a high of 8.0 ± 0.11 in rats fed prebiotic + SM (10%). CAT and SOD activities (μmol/mg) were two–four folds higher in rats fed combination diets compared to control.

Figure 4: Effect of feeding prebiotics and soybean meal on hepatic antioxidative enzyme activities (a) Catalase (b) SOD activity (μmol/mg) in F344 male rats. Abbreviations: SM: soybean meal, SOD: Superoxide-dismutase. abcdBars with same letter are not significantly different using Tukey’s studentized range test ().

3.5. Cecal Bacterial Enzyme Activities

Rats fed prebiotics + SM (10%, 10% + 5%) had significantly higher cecal β-glucosidase activity (μmol/mL) compared to control (Figure 5(a)). However, no significant differences were observed in cecal β-glucosidase activity (μmol/mL) between the rats fed SM singly and prebiotics + SM (5%, 5% + 10%) and to control fed rats. Cecal β-glucuronidase activity (μmol/mL) was significantly higher in rats fed SM (10%) singly and prebiotics + SM (5% + 10%) compared to control (Figure 5(b)). Cecal β-glucuronidase activity (μmol/mL) ranged from a low of 28.9 (prebiotics + SM-10%) to high of 34.3 (prebiotics + SM (5% + 10%)).

Figure 5: Effect of feeding prebiotics and soybean meal on cecal bacterial enzyme activities. (a) β-glucosidase. (b) β-glucuronidase activity (μmol/mL) in F344 male rats. Abbreviations: SM: soybean meal. abBars with same letter are not significantly different using Tukey’s studentized range test ().

3.6. Bone Mineralization

Minerals measured in femurs were calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) (Table 4). Ca (mg/g) was significantly higher in rats fed SM (10%) singly and in combination with prebiotics than rats fed control diets. Among rats fed combination diets, prebiotics + SM (10%) group had the highest bone calcium (mg/g). Phosphorus (mg/g) was significantly lower in rats fed control diet compared to treatment fed rats. Increase (%) in bone phosphorus (mg/g) was highest (42.6) in rats fed prebiotics + SM (10% + 5%). Bone Mg (mg/g) was significantly higher in rats fed treatment diets compared to control (2.2). Among treatment fed rats, the group fed prebiotics + SM (10%) had highest bone Mg (mg/g) (6). Bone Fe and Zn (μg/g) were significantly lower in rats fed control diet compared to treatment fed rats (Table 4). Although no significant differences were seen in bone Fe (μg/g) among the treatment groups, there was over twofold increase in bone Fe (μg/g) compared to control fed rats (53.1). Bone Zn (μg/g) among treatment fed rats ranged from 530 (SM-5%) to 741 (prebiotics + SM-10%).

Table 4: Effect of prebiotic and soybean meal on bone health.

Groups
Ca (mg/g)
P (mg/g)
Mg (mg/g)
Fe (μg/g)
Zn (μg/g)

Control
267.5 ± 11.2d
122.4 ± 1.2d
2.2 ± 0.1c
53.1 ± 0.8b
163.9 ± 24.8f

Prebiotic (5%)
276.1 ± 8.4c
146.2 ± 2.6bc
3.6 ± 0.2b
96.2 ± 2.9a
502.1 ± 6.8e

Prebiotic (10%)
282.6 ± 11.1c
152.9 ± 4.8c
4.0 ± 0.9b
104.1 ± 4.2a
528.6 ± 6.2d

SM (5%)
268.5 ± 26.9d
133.6 ± 1.8c
3.4 ± 0.17b
108.3 ± 5.3a
530.9 ± 9.3d

SM (10%)
277.8 ± 36.5c
141.0 ± 3.4bc
3.8 ± 0.06b
105.6 ± 1.4a
574.5 ± 34.6c

Prebiotic + SM (5% + 5%)
288.9 ± 5.8c
159.3 ± 4.4b
4.1 ± 0.13b
119.1 ± 0.8a
702.8 ± 29.3ab

Prebiotic + SM (10% + 10%)
431.4 ± 3.3 a
167.8 ± 2.8ab
6.0 ± 0.7 a
114.7 ± 5.8a
714.3 ± 35.0 a

Prebiotic + SM (5% + 10%)
329.2 ± 14.7bc
166.4 ± 10.9ab
4.5 ± 0.41ab
112.8 ± 8.4a
741.0 ± 34.6 a

Prebiotic+SM (10% + 5%)
395.3 ± 1.1b
174.0 ± 6.9 a
4.1 ± 0.4b
114.9 ± 6.0a
654.4 ± 22.7 b

Abbreviations: SM: soybean meal, Ca: Calcium, P: Phosphorus, Mg: Magnesium, Fe: Iron, Zn: Zinc. Values are expressed as means ± SEM. abcdefMeans in a column with the same letter are not significantly different using Tukey’s studentized range test (P  ≤  0.05).

Table 5: Composition of defatted whole dry soybean meal (low fat).

Serving size
19 g

Calories
80.00

Calories from fat
15.00

Total fat
1.50 g

Saturated fat
0.00 g

Trans fat
0.00 g

Cholesterol
0.00 mg

Sodium
0.00 mg

Total carbohydrate
5.00 g

Dietary fiber
3.00 g

Sugars
2.00 g

Protein
10.00 g

4. Discussion

Consumption of a balanced diet rich in various phytochemicals may provide primary prevention against chronic diseases. This study evaluated the combinational effects of prebiotics and soybean in prevention of colon carcinogenesis. Although no significant differences were observed in feed intake (g/rat/day) among control and treatment groups, the average body weights of rats at the end of the experiment (41 wk) ranged from 300–400 g. Rats fed treatment diets in combination had lower weight gain (g/41 wk) compared to rats fed the control and treatment diets singly. Combined effects of prebiotics and SM in decreasing weight gain may be explained by the influence of short chain fatty acids (propionate) produced by colonic fermentation exerting hypolipidemic effects through decreased lipogenesis in liver, thereby reduced concentration of plasma very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) [30–32]. Similar trend was reported studying the inhibitory effects of different inulin fractions in Fisher 344 male rats [33]. Cecal fermentation of soluble dietary fiber (prebiotics) by intestinal microflora is well documented [34–36]. Cecal weight and cecal pH showed an inverse relationship in rats fed prebiotics singly and in specific combinations (prebiotics + SM-10% + 10%; 10% + 5%). Reduction in cecal pH is critical for balanced colonic microflora to support colon physiology, prevention of colonic diseases, and in metabolism of phytonutrients such as isoflavones [37]. Increased cecal weight from prebiotics consumption may result in short chain fatty acids (SCFA) promoting cecal growth as observed in vivo using inulin in various studies [28, 38], where a positive correlation between a lower cecal pH and colon tumor reductions was also seen in our study.

In the current study, we observed a decrease in tumor incidence (40%–70%) as well as tumor size (mm), tumor number, and TBR in both proximal and distal sections in rats fed treatments diets in combinations compared to the control. Tumor number and tumor size are indicators of proliferation and angiogenesis/inflammation, while TBR represents tumor multiplicity. Similar results were seen in rats fed 10% inulin [5]. Changes in tumor growth characteristics observed in rats fed combination diets suggests antiproliferative, antiangiogenic and overlapping actions of prebiotics and soybean meal. Indirect defensive mechanisms of phytochemicals involve either stimulation or inhibition of crucial detoxification and antioxidative enzymes [39, 40]. Detoxification of xenobiotics in the liver is a primary strategy of the biological system in cancer prevention. Stimulation of hepatic and colonic glutathione-s-transferase (GST) activity (μmol/mg) in rats fed combination diets is indicative of the protective effects of prebiotics and SM in stimulation of the enzyme. Colonic GST activity provides residual detoxification effects in xenobiotic metabolism. Our results are in agreement with similar studies, where GST activity was significantly induced when Fisher 344 male rats were fed with Flax seed meal at 10%, 20% and silymarin at 100, 500, and 1000 ppm [41, 42]. Antioxidative enzymes in liver such as catalase and superoxide-dismutase (SOD) were stimulated in rats fed treatment diets with highest activities seen in rats fed combination diets. Stimulation of antioxidative enzymes by phytochemicals present in plant foods such as soybean may be attributed to the structure of polyphenols (OH groups) and their metabolites such as equol which has enhanced antioxidative potential [43–45]. Various studies support the stimulation of antioxidants by phytochemicals as one of their protective mechanisms in the prevention of chronic diseases such as cancer [46–48]. Physiologically, induction of detoxifying and antioxidative enzymes by dietary bioactive compounds such as soluble fiber (prebiotics) and isoflavones (soybean), their byproducts, and metabolites, may contribute to the cellular defensive mechanisms [49–51].

Cecal microflora and their enzyme activities play a prominent role in the pathology of colonic disease. Establishment and modulation of colonic microflora is largely influenced by diet [52, 53]. β-glucosidase is a gut microbial enzyme catalyzing the hydrolysis of isoflavone glycan conjugates to aglycans, thus enhancing their bioavailability, while β-glucuronidase are enzymes involved in deconjugation of glycosylated, sulfated, and glucuronidated forms of metabolites regulated by biliary secretions [54]. In our study, β-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase (μmol/mL) were higher in rats fed treatment diets. Our results were in agreement with a study involving Fisher 344 rats fed fructo-oligosaccharides (Raftilose P95) [55]. However, results on cecal β-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase activities are conflicting in rats fed Inulin and sucrose at 5% levels [56]. Experimental studies in animals and humans have shown positive effects of ingesting synbiotics as well as soybean isoflavones on mineral absorption, bone structure, and health [57]. Underlying mechanisms of calcium absorption in the presence of intestinal fermentation and isoflavone metabolites contributing to a balanced bone remodeling have been illustrated [37]. In the present study, rats fed combination diets of prebiotics and SM showed higher bone mineralization compared to rats fed control and SM singly. Our results corroborate previous studies [58, 59], which showed the effects of fructo-oligosaccharides, isoflavones, and their metabolites in maintaining bone health.

5. Conclusions

Results indicate a pronounced chemopreventive effect of prebiotics and soybean in combinations rather than when fed singly. Reductions in tumor incidence, smaller tumor size (mm), and lower tumor number may have been attributed to the direct effects of treatment diets by acting as antiproliferative and antiangiogenic factors or by indirect mechanism such as stimulation of detoxifying and antioxidative enzymes. Interactive mechanisms of prebiotics and soybean may have contributed to tumor reductions. Prebiotics has been associated in the prevention of gut-associated disorders and in isoflavone metabolism. Metabolites of soybean isoflavones such as equol and des-methylangolensin may play a role in enhancing the chemoprotective role of prebiotics in colon cancer. Further, exploring the synergistic effects of phytonutrients and their metabolites on microbial enzymatic activities associated with gut, on cellular and molecular targets such as specific genes with implications in cancer prevention, may be promising.

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by ORAFTI, Tienen, Belgium, and The Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Alabama A&M University, Normal, Ala, USA.

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