Reduction of colonic protein fermentation as a strategy to reduce the colon cancer risk.

Fermentation of dietary components in the colon results in a large number of metabolites that are in direct contact with the colonic mucosa. Some of these metabolites are potentially carcinogenic or co-carcinogenic. The comet assay is a sensitive technique to detect DNA damage. Application of this technique to watery extracts of fecal samples has shown that high protein intake results in more DNA damage in colonocytes and that prebiotic intervention reduces the DNA damage. Our previous results indicated that high protein intake results in a higher degree of protein fermentation and that administration of prebiotics reduces the protein fermentation. These data suggest a link between protein fermentation and DNA damage in colonocytes. We will investigate the relationship between protein fermentation and fecal water toxicity in several intervention studies in healthy subjects. The metabolites in feces associated to DNA damage will be identified. Second, we will evaluate whether a low protein diet results in less DNA damage and whether this can be attributed to a lower degree of protein fermentation. An alternative strategy is administration of prebiotics. The impact of prebiotics on DNA damage and protein fermentation will be assessed.

Keywords:Comet assay, Prebiotic, Protein fermentation, Genotoxicity, DNA damage

Disciplines:Gastro-enterology and hepatology, Other chemical sciences, Nutrition and dietetics, Agricultural animal production, Food sciences and (bio)technology