The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

3282.0: Monday, November 11, 2002 - Board 2

Abstract #51200

Effect of Dietary Freeze-Dried Blueberries on N-Nitrosomethylbenzylamine-Induced Tumorigenesis in the Rat Esophagus

Robeena M. Aziz, Ohio State University, 1688 McCoy Road, Columbus, OH 43220, (614) 459-8545, aziz.4@osu.edu

Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated the inhibitory effects of freeze-dried strawberries and black raspberries on N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA)-induced tumorigenesis in the rat esophagus. In addition, organic extracts from strawberries and black raspberries were shown to inhibit benzo[a]pyrene-induced transformation of Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells in vitro. In the present study, we evaluated blueberries for their ability to inhibit NMBA tumorigenesis in the rat esophagus. Blueberries, like strawberries and black raspberries, contain multiple cancer preventive agents, and are among the most heavily consumed berries in the American diet. They differ from strawberries and black raspberries however, in that they contain only small amounts of the chemopreventive agent, ellagic acid. Two weeks prior to NMBA treatment, animals were placed on a control diet or diets containing 5 and 10% freeze-dried blueberries. NMBA treatment was once per week for 15 weeks. At 25 weeks, 5% and 10% blueberries produced no significant differences in tumor incidence or size when compared to NMBA-treated controls. In addition, blueberries did not reduce the formation of NMBA-induced O6-methylguanine adducts in esophageal DNA when fed at 10% of the diet. Blueberries therefore, appear to lack components that influence the metabolism of NMBA into DNA damaging species.

Learning Objectives:

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Delta Omega: The Public Health Honorary Society's Poster Session

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA