The molecular mechanisms of colon carcinogenesis in C57BL/KsJ-db/db-Apc mice

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25860529
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Gastroenterology
• Research Institution: Gifu University
• Principal Investigator: KUBOTA MASAYA 岐阜大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 特任助教 (90542407)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 大腸癌化学予防 / 肥満関連大腸発癌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, the chemopreventive effects of therapeutic agents for lifestyle disease or phytochemicals, and its underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated using obesity- and lifestyle disease-related colon cancer models. Metformin, an agent for diabetes, and green tea catechin decreased the number of intestinal tumors in diabetic db/db-Min/+ mice. Besides, astaxanthin, one of phytochemicals, and captopril, an antihypertensive agent, suppressed colonic precancerous lesions in different models. In addition, metformin and astaxanthin prevented the development of liver tumors in obese diabetic mice through the improvement of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. Thus, these results suggest that certain phytochemicals or therapeutic agents for lifestyle disease may become effective candidates for the chemoprevention of colon carcinogenesis. Clinical trials testing the efficacy of those agents in obese diabetic individuals will be ready to start in our facility.

Free Research Field

大腸癌基礎