Genetic mapping of Mom5, a novel modifier of Apc(Min)-induced intestinal tumorigenesis.

The initial purpose of this study was to assess the role of estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) in intestinal tumorigenesis by examining the effects of an ERbeta knockout (ERbeta(-/-)) on Apc(Min) mice. In order to accomplish this goal on a uniform genetic background, we were required to backcross the ERbeta knockout from the 129P2 genetic background to the B6 genetic background for 10 generations. Midway through this process, we performed a test cross in which mice from the N(5) backcross generation of the ERbeta knockout strain were intercrossed with Apc(Min/+) mice to obtain Apc(Min/+) ERbeta(+/+), Apc(Min/+) ERbeta(+/-) and Apc(Min/+) ERbeta(-/-) mice.

Disruption of estrogen receptor signaling enhances intestinal neoplasia in Apc(Min/+) mice.

Estrogen receptors (ERs) [ERalpha (Esr1) and ERbeta (Esr2)] are expressed in the human colon, but during the multistep process of colorectal carcinogenesis, expression of both ERalpha and ERbeta is lost, suggesting that loss of ER function might promote colorectal carcinogenesis. Through crosses between an ERalpha knockout and Apc(Min) mouse strains, we demonstrate that ERalpha deficiency is associated with a significant increase in intestinal tumor multiplicity, size and burden in Apc(Min/+) mice. Within the normal intestinal epithelium of Apc(Min/+) mice, ERalpha deficiency is associated with an accumulation of nuclear beta-catenin, an indicator of activation of the Wnt-beta-catenin-signaling pathway, which is known to play a critical role in intestinal cancers.

Berries as chemopreventive dietary constituents--a mechanistic approach with the ApcMin/+ mouse.

Berries contain a number of compounds that are proposed to have anticarcinogenic properties. We wanted to see if pure ellagic acid, natural ellagitannins and three wild berries have any effect on the adenoma formation in Apc- mutated Min/+ mice. Min/+ mice were fed high-fat AIN93-G diets containing 10% (w/w) freeze-dried bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus), cloudberry seeds or cloudberry pulp or pure ellagic acid at 1564 mg/kg for 10 weeks.

Three Nordic berries inhibit intestinal tumorigenesis in multiple intestinal neoplasia/+ mice by modulating beta-catenin signaling in the tumor and transcription in the mucosa.

Berries contain a number of compounds that are proposed to have anticarcinogenic properties. We studied the effects and molecular mechanisms of wild berries with different phenolic profiles on intestinal tumorigenesis in multiple intestinal neoplasia/+ mice. The mice were fed a high-fat AIN93-G diet (Con) or AIN93-G diets containing 10% (w:w) freeze-dried bilberry, lingonberry (LB), or cloudberry (CB) for 10 wk.

Effects of a flaxseed mixture and plant oils rich in alpha-linolenic acid on the adenoma formation in multiple intestinal neoplasia (Min) mice.

Flaxseed is a dietary source of possible chemopreventive compounds such as lignans and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). To study the effects of a flaxseed mixture on adenoma formation in multiple intestinal neoplasia mice, the mice were fed a diet containing 2.7 % flaxseed, 4.

The plant lignans matairesinol and secoisolariciresinol administered to Min mice do not protect against intestinal tumor formation.

The lignans matairesinol (MAT) and secoisolariciresinol (SECO) were fed to Min mice at 0.02% (w/w) in diet to study their effects on intestinal tumor development. The mean number (67 vs.

Suitability of a batch in vitro fermentation model using human faecal microbiota for prediction of conversion of flaxseed lignans to enterolactone with reference to an in vivo rat model.

Background: In vitro fermentation models have been used widely for studies of shortchain fatty acid (SCFA) formation from carbohydrates, whereas the suitability of these methods for enterolactone (ENL) formation has received less attention.

Aim: The aim was to study the suitability of an in vitro fermentation model for prediction of bioconversion of lignans to ENL, to compare the approach with that of an in vivo rat model and to study the SCFA formation in both models.

Methods: Predigested samples of rye bran (R), flaxseed meal (F) alone, or in combination with rye bran (R&F) and a faecal control were incubated in an in vitro fermentation model using human faecal microbiota.

Morphometric analysis of the small intestine in wild type mice C57BL/6L -- a developmental study.

Recently the increasing prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases, including neoplasm, has resulted in the necessity of characterising not only the tumours, but also healthy mucosa. Research into the morphological changes of healthy mucosa under different experimental conditions, including drugs, special diets and the use of probiotic bacteria, is greatly facilitated by the availability of animal models. In spite of the widespread use of mice in gastrointestinal research, there is a lack of information on the qualitative and quantitative histological characteristics of the intestinal mucosa of the mouse.