Juçara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) Supplementation Reduces Aberrant Crypt Foci and Increases SOD1 Expression in the Colorectal Mucosa of Carcinogenesis-Induced Rats

Abstract

Antioxidants present in food can act as a protective factor against the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) by reducing the development of aberrant crypt foci (ACF). This study aimed to analyze the effects of supplementation with juçara fruit pulp on the number of ACF and the SOD1 expression in an experimental model of CRC. Colorectal carcinogenesis was induced with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) in 16 young female rats (Rattus norvegicus) given a diet supplemented with either juçara fruit pulp (DMH+/juçara+) or control (DMH+/juçara–). Five animals were used as a negative control (DMH–/juçara–). The (DMH+/juçara+) group received 14 days of supplementation (100 ml/animal/day) at 2-day intervals for 1 month. The number of ACF, area of positive staining for SOD1, and SOD1 expression score were evaluated. The (DMH+/juçara+) group presented a lower number of ACF, ACF > 3 crypts, and greater SOD1 expression in the colorectal mucosa. Based on the reduction in the number of lesions and possible positive impact on antioxidant enzymes, juçara fruit pulp appears to support the prevention of CRC, opening new possibilities for its use in dietary supplementation, as well as in the development of products and medications for the prevention and treatment of CRC.

Disclosure Statement

The authors do not declare any conflict of interests.

Additional information

Funding

This study was self-funded and supported by Coordination of Improvement of Higher Level Personnel – CAPES (Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil) and the Foundation for Research Support of Espírito Santo – FAPES (Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil) scholarships.

Notes on contributors

Schalana Oliveira dos Reis

The project was conceived by L. O. Trivilin, S. O. dos Reis, T. C. da Luz, L. C. Nunes and A. M. A. da Silva. Experimental procedures as juçara supplementation, necropsy, histological and immunohistochemistry analysis and measurements performed by S. O. dos Reis, T. C. da Luz, C. V. M. S. Couto, J. Dalbó, L. C. Nunes, M. C. Martins and L. O. Trivilin. Juçara fruit pulp analysis performed by M. C. Martins and P. I. Silva. Statistical analysis performed by L. O. Trivilin. Data analysis and interpretation were completed by L. O. Trivilin, A. M. A. da Silva, P. I. Silva and L. C. Nunes. The manuscript was written, edited and critical revision by both authors. All authors final approval of the version to be published.

Tamires Conceição da Luz

The project was conceived by L. O. Trivilin, S. O. dos Reis, T. C. da Luz, L. C. Nunes and A. M. A. da Silva. Experimental procedures as juçara supplementation, necropsy, histological and immunohistochemistry analysis and measurements performed by S. O. dos Reis, T. C. da Luz, C. V. M. S. Couto, J. Dalbó, L. C. Nunes, M. C. Martins and L. O. Trivilin. Juçara fruit pulp analysis performed by M. C. Martins and P. I. Silva. Statistical analysis performed by L. O. Trivilin. Data analysis and interpretation were completed by L. O. Trivilin, A. M. A. da Silva, P. I. Silva and L. C. Nunes. The manuscript was written, edited and critical revision by both authors. All authors final approval of the version to be published.

Cinthia Vidal Monteiro da Silva Couto

The project was conceived by L. O. Trivilin, S. O. dos Reis, T. C. da Luz, L. C. Nunes and A. M. A. da Silva. Experimental procedures as juçara supplementation, necropsy, histological and immunohistochemistry analysis and measurements performed by S. O. dos Reis, T. C. da Luz, C. V. M. S. Couto, J. Dalbó, L. C. Nunes, M. C. Martins and L. O. Trivilin. Juçara fruit pulp analysis performed by M. C. Martins and P. I. Silva. Statistical analysis performed by L. O. Trivilin. Data analysis and interpretation were completed by L. O. Trivilin, A. M. A. da Silva, P. I. Silva and L. C. Nunes. The manuscript was written, edited and critical revision by both authors. All authors final approval of the version to be published.

Juliana Dalbó

The project was conceived by L. O. Trivilin, S. O. dos Reis, T. C. da Luz, L. C. Nunes and A. M. A. da Silva. Experimental procedures as juçara supplementation, necropsy, histological and immunohistochemistry analysis and measurements performed by S. O. dos Reis, T. C. da Luz, C. V. M. S. Couto, J. Dalbó, L. C. Nunes, M. C. Martins and L. O. Trivilin. Juçara fruit pulp analysis performed by M. C. Martins and P. I. Silva. Statistical analysis performed by L. O. Trivilin. Data analysis and interpretation were completed by L. O. Trivilin, A. M. A. da Silva, P. I. Silva and L. C. Nunes. The manuscript was written, edited and critical revision by both authors. All authors final approval of the version to be published.

Louisiane de Carvalho Nunes

The project was conceived by L. O. Trivilin, S. O. dos Reis, T. C. da Luz, L. C. Nunes and A. M. A. da Silva. Experimental procedures as juçara supplementation, necropsy, histological and immunohistochemistry analysis and measurements performed by S. O. dos Reis, T. C. da Luz, C. V. M. S. Couto, J. Dalbó, L. C. Nunes, M. C. Martins and L. O. Trivilin. Juçara fruit pulp analysis performed by M. C. Martins and P. I. Silva. Statistical analysis performed by L. O. Trivilin. Data analysis and interpretation were completed by L. O. Trivilin, A. M. A. da Silva, P. I. Silva and L. C. Nunes. The manuscript was written, edited and critical revision by both authors. All authors final approval of the version to be published.

Marina Carvalho Martins

The project was conceived by L. O. Trivilin, S. O. dos Reis, T. C. da Luz, L. C. Nunes and A. M. A. da Silva. Experimental procedures as juçara supplementation, necropsy, histological and immunohistochemistry analysis and measurements performed by S. O. dos Reis, T. C. da Luz, C. V. M. S. Couto, J. Dalbó, L. C. Nunes, M. C. Martins and L. O. Trivilin. Juçara fruit pulp analysis performed by M. C. Martins and P. I. Silva. Statistical analysis performed by L. O. Trivilin. Data analysis and interpretation were completed by L. O. Trivilin, A. M. A. da Silva, P. I. Silva and L. C. Nunes. The manuscript was written, edited and critical revision by both authors. All authors final approval of the version to be published.

Pollyanna Ibrahim Silva

The project was conceived by L. O. Trivilin, S. O. dos Reis, T. C. da Luz, L. C. Nunes and A. M. A. da Silva. Experimental procedures as juçara supplementation, necropsy, histological and immunohistochemistry analysis and measurements performed by S. O. dos Reis, T. C. da Luz, C. V. M. S. Couto, J. Dalbó, L. C. Nunes, M. C. Martins and L. O. Trivilin. Juçara fruit pulp analysis performed by M. C. Martins and P. I. Silva. Statistical analysis performed by L. O. Trivilin. Data analysis and interpretation were completed by L. O. Trivilin, A. M. A. da Silva, P. I. Silva and L. C. Nunes. The manuscript was written, edited and critical revision by both authors. All authors final approval of the version to be published.

Adriana Madeira Alvares da Silva

The project was conceived by L. O. Trivilin, S. O. dos Reis, T. C. da Luz, L. C. Nunes and A. M. A. da Silva. Experimental procedures as juçara supplementation, necropsy, histological and immunohistochemistry analysis and measurements performed by S. O. dos Reis, T. C. da Luz, C. V. M. S. Couto, J. Dalbó, L. C. Nunes, M. C. Martins and L. O. Trivilin. Juçara fruit pulp analysis performed by M. C. Martins and P. I. Silva. Statistical analysis performed by L. O. Trivilin. Data analysis and interpretation were completed by L. O. Trivilin, A. M. A. da Silva, P. I. Silva and L. C. Nunes. The manuscript was written, edited and critical revision by both authors. All authors final approval of the version to be published.

Leonardo Oliveira Trivilin

The project was conceived by L. O. Trivilin, S. O. dos Reis, T. C. da Luz, L. C. Nunes and A. M. A. da Silva. Experimental procedures as juçara supplementation, necropsy, histological and immunohistochemistry analysis and measurements performed by S. O. dos Reis, T. C. da Luz, C. V. M. S. Couto, J. Dalbó, L. C. Nunes, M. C. Martins and L. O. Trivilin. Juçara fruit pulp analysis performed by M. C. Martins and P. I. Silva. Statistical analysis performed by L. O. Trivilin. Data analysis and interpretation were completed by L. O. Trivilin, A. M. A. da Silva, P. I. Silva and L. C. Nunes. The manuscript was written, edited and critical revision by both authors. All authors final approval of the version to be published.