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Biomedical subjects

A Russo

Publications and source records attributed to A Russo.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

High prevalence of activated intraepithelial cytotoxic T lymphocytes and increased neoplastic cell apoptosis in colorectal carcinomas with microsatellite instability.

Microsatellite instability (MSI) characterizes colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) syndrome and a proportion of sporadic CRCs. These MSI+ CRCs share several clinicopathological features, including a reputation for better survival rates than MSI- cases and a pronounced stromal inflammatory reaction of still undefined nature. In the present study, the presence, spatial distribution, and activation status of infiltrating cytotoxic effectors were investigated comparatively in 18 MSI+ and 37 MSI- CRCs by immunohistochemistry. The frequency of apoptosis was also evaluated by morphology and in situ end-labeling. MSI+ cases carried significantly higher numbers of cytotoxic lymphocytes infiltrating within neoplastic epithelial structures, as shown by immunostaining for CD3 (15.1 +/- 6.2 versus 4.6 +/- 4.1, P < 0.001), CD8 (13 +/- 6.4 versus 3.7 +/- 3.8, P < 0.001), and TIA-1 (11.2 +/- 6.5 versus 1.9 +/- 1.7, P < 0.001). These cytotoxic effectors were globally more activated in MSI+ than in MSI- tumors, as revealed by the expression of granzyme B (5.3 +/- 4.5 versus 0.6 +/- 1.3, P < 0.001). In MSI+ CRCs, the number of intraepithelial activated cytotoxic lymphocytes was significantly correlated with the proximal location of the tumor, a poorly differentiated phenotype, and the presence of peritumor lymphoid nodules. Multivariate analysis revealed that MSI was the major determinant of the presence of activated cytotoxic intraepithelial lymphocytes. Moreover, MSI+ CRCs also showed a significantly higher percentage of tumor cells undergoing apoptotic cell death (4.1 +/- 2.1 versus 2.6 +/- 1.1, P < 0.0001, by the TUNEL method), often located in close proximity of activated cytotoxic lymphocytes. These results are consistent with the presence of anti-tumor cytotoxic immune responses in most of MSI+ CRCs, a phenomenon that may at least in part contribute to the survival advantage ascribed to these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Deletions in the mitochondrial DNA and decrease in the oxidative phosphorylation activity of children with Fanconi syndrome secondary to antiblastic therapy.

The aim of this study is to verify whether there are deletions in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and disorders in oxidative phosphorylation (Ox-phos) complexes in the pathogenesis of secondary Fanconi syndrome (FS). We studied 18 children with tumors who were previously treated with chemotherapy and were off therapy for at least 1 year. All the children had normal renal function at diagnosis. Only 4 children received ifosfamide (IFO) and platinum compounds. We evaluated renal function, Ox-phos activity measured on platelets, and mtDNA extracted from platelets for all patients. Only 2 patients, both treated with IFO and carboplatinum (CARBO) for Wilms' tumor and germ-cell tumor, respectively, developed FS 1 and 3 years after termination of therapy. They had decreased activities of Ox-phos that were statistically significant only for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-reduced cytochrome-c reductase and cytochrome-c oxidase and specific and unidentified deletions in mtDNA that were not maternally inherited. Our data suggest that treatment with IFO and CARBO might be responsible for deletions in mtDNA, decreased activity of Ox-phos, and impaired rates of transport of D-glucose, phosphate, and amino acids.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1999

Reducing colorectal cancer mortality by repeated faecal occult blood test: a nested case-control study.

Randomised trials have shown the efficacy of faecal occult blood testing (FOBT) in reducing colorectal cancer mortality, but observational studies are needed to monitor such efficacy in population programmes. We conducted a nested case-control study on a cohort of 21,879 subjects who participated in a colorectal screening programme from 1978 to 1995, undergoing at least one FOBT test. 95 fatal cases of colorectal cancer were eligible for the study. For each fatal case, 5 non-fatal matched controls were randomly selected from the cohort. FOBT screening history was less common among cases than controls. The odds ratio of colorectal cancer mortality among 'attenders' (defined as those who underwent a second FOBT within 2 years of study entry) with respect to 'non-attenders' was 0.64 (95% confidence interval 0.36-1.15). We also computed odds ratios defining exposure as one or more tests in the detectable preclinical period, hypothesising various lengths for the latter, which, however, yielded an efficacy estimate biased towards the null. A strong inverse relationship was observed between mortality and the number of tests, but this phenomenon is interpretable as 'healthy screenee bias'. The results suggest that the potential efficacy in preventing colorectal cancer mortality through annual FOBT screening may be of the order of one third.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Effects of hyperglycemia on cortical response to esophageal distension in normal subjects.

Acute changes in the blood glucose concentration affect the intensity of gastrointestinal sensations. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of hyperglycemia on cortical potentials evoked by esophageal distension. In 16 healthy volunteers, a balloon was positioned in the lower esophagus. A series of 50 distensions was performed at both a lower volume (producing definite sensation) and a higher volume (producing unpleasant sensation), at blood glucose concentrations of 5 and 13 mmol/liter. Triphasic cortical potentials were recorded from a midline scalp electrode (Cz). During euglycemia, interpeak amplitudes were greater at the higher than the lower balloon volume (P < 0.005). At the lower balloon volume, the interpeak amplitudes were greater during hyperglycemia than euglycemia (P < 0.05). There was no effect of the blood glucose concentration on amplitude at the higher balloon volume. We conclude that in healthy subjects, the amplitude of the cortical response to moderate, but not unpleasant, esophageal distension is greater during hyperglycemia when compared to euglycemia. These observations are consistent with the concept of increased intensity of gut sensation during hyperglycemia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Physical activity and risk of cancers of the colon and rectum: an Italian case-control study.

We investigated the relationships between risk of colon and rectal cancers and physical activity in both sexes at different ages by a case-control study conducted between 1991 and 1996 in six Italian centres. Cases were 1225 patients (688 men, 537 women) below the age of 75 with colon cancer and the controls included 4154 patients (2073 men, 2081 women) admitted to hospital for acute, non-neoplastic conditions. We also analysed 722 cases of rectal cancer. Compared with the lowest level of occupational physical activity at 30-39 years old the odds ratios (OR) for the highest level were 0.64 (95% confidence interval, CI 0.44-0.93) in men and 0.49 (95% CI 0.33-0.72) in women. The inverse association in both sexes was similar at 15-19 and 50-59 years old. No association was found in either sex for leisure-time physical activity. For both sexes the inverse relationship between occupational physical activity at 30-39 years old and colon cancer risk was not significantly heterogeneous across strata of selected covariates, and for ascending, transverse, descending and sigmoid colon. Rectal cancer risk was not associated with any measure of physical activity (OR = 1.32 for men and 0.88 for women for the highest level of occupational physical activity at 30-39 years old compared with the lowest). This study confirms that occupational physical activity is protective against colon, but not against rectal cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The effect of hyperglycaemia on cerebral potentials evoked by rapid rectal distension in healthy humans.

BACKGROUND: Acute hyperglycaemia affects the perception of sensations arising from the gastrointestinal tract. The mechanisms responsible for this effect are unknown. Recordings of cerebral evoked potentials (EPs) can be used to assess the integrity of visceral afferent pathways. Our aim was to determine whether hyperglycaemia affects EPs elicited by rectal distension in healthy humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve healthy men, aged 19-31 years, were studied. A manometric catheter, incorporating a rectal balloon, was positioned 7-10 cm from the anal verge. Balloon distensions at both 'low' ( approximately 20 mL) and 'high' ( approximately 28 mL) volumes were performed, in a single-blind, randomized order, during both euglycaemia (4 mmol L-1) and hyperglycaemia (12 mmol L-1). EPs were recorded from a midline scalp electrode (Cz, International 10-20 system) and averaged for each series of 50 distensions. EP latencies and interpeak amplitudes were calculated. RESULTS: Polyphasic EPs were recorded in all but one subject. Although the blood glucose concentration had no significant effect on the latencies of the EP peaks elicited by either 'low'- or 'high'-volume balloon distension, the interpeak amplitude (P1-N1) was greater during hyperglycaemia than during euglycaemia at the 'low' balloon volume (6.3 +/- 1.2 microV vs. 4.8 +/- 1.0 microV, P < 0.05). The blood glucose concentration had no significant effect on the perception of rectal balloon distension. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in normal subjects acute hyperglycaemia increases the amplitude of the cerebral EP elicited by rectal balloon distension at low balloon volumes, suggesting that the effects of hyperglycaemia on gastrointestinal sensation may be mediated by central mechanisms.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Serum levels of hepatitis C virus RNA predict non-response to interferon therapy: comparison of two commercial assays.

We compared two commercial assays for quantification of serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA to investigate whether pretreatment levels of serum HCV RNA could predict the outcome of interferon (IFN) therapy. The Amplicor HCV Monitor test is based on a single, combined reverse transcription and amplification reaction carried out by the Tth DNA polymerase using specific primers for the 5' untranslated (UTR) region. The Quantiplex HCV RNA 2.0 assay is based on specific hybridization of viral RNA by synthetic oligonucleotides complementary to the 5'-UTR and core regions of the genome, allowing equal quantification of the six major genotypes. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was employed to identify the best cut-off value (predicting patients who were non-responsive to treatment) with corresponding sensitivity and specificity values. Logistic regression analysis was performed using these cut-off values. We studied 133 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis C enrolled in a prospecsustained responders was 5322 copies ml-1 by the Monitor test and less than 0.2 million equivalents ml-1 (MEq ml-1) by the Quantiplex assay; for the 115 non-responders/relapsers, the median viraemia was 83,125 copies ml-1 and 1.128 MEq ml-1 for the Monitor test and Quantiplex assay, respectively. Spearman's rank test gave a correlation of 0.63 between assays. The best predicting cut-off values were 22,134 copies ml-1 for the Monitor test and 0.330 MEq ml-1 for the Quantiplex assay; their respective sensitivities and specificities were 72% and 75% for Monitor and 67% and 83% for Quantiplex. By logistic regression analysis, the age and gender-adjusted odds ratios of high vs low HCV RNA levels, defining the risk of non-response, were 10.6 (CI 3.1-35.7) for Monitor and 14.3 (CI 4.3-47.3) for Quantiplex. The two assays had comparable sensitivity for serum HCV RNA but they identified different predictive cut-offs for non-response to therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Effects of gemfibrozil on in vitro cultured normal human skin explants.

BACKGROUND: Several lipid-lowering agents, when given topically, show a profound effect on skin morphology. Because of low bioavailability of these drugs for keratinocytes, the incidence is extremely low clinically. The most appropriate way to study the effect of hypolipidemic drugs on keratinocytes is by artificial exposure of the skin to high drug concentrations. OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of gemfibrozil on the morphology of in vitro cultured normal human skin explants. As gemfibrozil induces barrier disruption by inhibiting epidermal sterologenesis, essential for a competent permeability barrier, it is interesting to investigate the morphologic changes associated with this phenomenon. Studying the epidermal changes induced by lipid-lowering agents is important, not only because it might lead to a better understanding of the effects of these drugs on keratinocytes, but as it might also unlock the door to a wider knowledge of the pathomechanism of disorders of cornification. METHODS: Normal human skin from patients undergoing mastectomy was cultured in the presence of 2, 5, and 10 mM of gemfibrozil for 4 days The morphologic changes were evaluated by three blinded observers. Their reports were matched and collated. RESULTS: The cultured skin in the presence of gemfibrozil showed cell crowding of keratinocytes in the lower part of the epidermis, indicating epidermal hyperplasia and increased proliferation. Intercellular edema with the formation of small cavities in the epidermis, intracellular edema, and vacuolar alteration of keratinocytes in the upper portion of the epidermis were also observed. The intensity of these changes tended to parallel the gemfibrozil concentration. Some dermo-epidermal detachments did not correlate with the gemfibrozil concentration, but rather with tissue characteristics peculiar to each explant. CONCLUSIONS: The morphologic changes caused by gemfibrozil to normal human skin were not characteristic of psoriasis, and included intracellular and intercellular edema in the upper portion of the epidermis and cell crowding, indicating epidermal hyperplasia in the lower portion of the epidermis. The present experimental study gives further support to the hypothesis that hypolipidemic drugs cause an initial break in the barrier function of the epidermis, followed by a physiologic epidermal response, aimed at barrier restoration. This rather nonspecific stimulus to epidermal proliferation may trigger psoriasis in predisposed patients.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1999

LSD and DOB: interaction with 5-HT2A receptors to inhibit NMDA receptor-mediated transmission in the rat prefrontal cortex.

Both the phenethylamine hallucinogen (-)-1-2, 5-dimethoxy-4-bromophenyl-2-aminopropane (DOB), a selective serotonin 5-HT2A,2C receptor agonist, and the indoleamine hallucinogen D-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD, which binds to 5-HT1A, 1B, 1D, 1E, 1F, 2A, 2C, 5, 6, 7, dopamine D1 and D2, and alpha1 and alpha2 adrenergic receptors), but not their non-hallucinogenic congeners, inhibited N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced inward current and NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic responses evoked by electrical stimulation of the forceps minor in pyramidal cells of the prefrontal cortical slices. The inhibitory effect of hallucinogens was mimicked by 5-HT in the presence of selective 5-HT1A and 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. The inhibitory action of DOB, LSD and 5-HT on the NMDA transmission was blocked by the 5-HT2A receptor antagonists R-(+)-alpha-(2, 3-dimethoxyphenil)-1-[4-fluorophenylethyl]-4-piperidineme thanol (M100907) and ketanserin. However, at low concentrations, when both LSD and DOB by themselves only partially depressed the NMDA response, they blocked the inhibitory effect of 5-HT, suggesting a partial agonist action. Whereas N-(4-aminobutyl)-5-chloro-2-naphthalenesulphonamide (W-7, a calmodulin antagonist) and N-[2-[[[3-(4'-chlorophenyl)- 2-propenyl]methylamino]methyl]phenyl]-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4'-methoxy-b enzenesulphonamide phosphate (KN-93, a Ca2+/CaM-KII inhibitor), but not the negative control 2-[N-4'methoxybenzenesulphonyl]amino-N-(4'-chlorophenyl)-2-propeny l-N -methylbenzylamine phosphate (KN-92), blocked the inhibitory action of LSD and DOB, the selective protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine was without any effect. We conclude that phenethylamine and indoleamine hallucinogens may exert their hallucinogenic effect by interacting with 5-HT2A receptors via a Ca2+/CaM-KII-dependent signal transduction pathway as partial agonists and modulating the NMDA receptors-mediated sensory, perceptual, affective and cognitive processes.

DOM 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-Methylamphetamine↗
PubMed1999

Effect of phenolic and chlorine disinfectants on hepatitis C virus binding and infectivity.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory activity of 2 polyphenolic disinfectants and a chlorine compound (NaDCC) on hepatitis C virus (HCV) binding and infectivity. METHODS: VERO cells (a continuous cell line derived from cynomolgus kidney cells) suitable for analyzing HCV binding and replication, and the competitive reverse transcription (cRT-PCR) technique for HCV RNA molecules quantitative evaluation have been chosen as a methodologic approach for the antiviral activity testing. RESULTS: At their recommended use dilutions, polyphenolic disinfectants inhibited HCV binding and replication. The chlorine compound was ineffective, probably a result of its low concentration in the presence of protein substances in VERO cell cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of HCV binding and replication by the tested polyphenolic associations confirm their value in instrument decontamination and environmental disinfection against this clinically important lipid virus.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Determinants of Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence among Italian blood donors.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Helicobacter pylori is a worldwide infection. It is estimated that approximately 50% of the general population is affected, but this percentage varies considerably between countries. To investigate the prevalence of H. pylori infection, a cross-sectional epidemiological study, based on the serological determination of the IgG antibodies against H. pylori, was carried out in healthy Italian blood donors by using a commercially available kit. METHODS: From March 1995 to March 1997, a total of 2598 consecutive volunteer blood donors were tested for the presence of antibodies against H. pylori. All patients answered a detailed questionnaire which collected sociodemographic characteristics, and smoking, alcohol drinking and dietary habits. Test-positive subjects with gastrointestinal symptoms underwent endoscopy, with biopsies taken for histological diagnosis. RESULTS: The global prevalence of H. pylori infection in our study was 1161/2598 (45%). It was directly correlated with age (67% in subjects aged > or = 50 years). The prevalence of H. pylori infection was higher in men (46.4%) than women (38.4%), and more frequent in patients with a low educational level, in the lower quintile of height and in the upper quintile of body mass index (BMI). No significant association with smoking and alcohol drinking was found. Inverse associations were found with elevated consumption of milk (chi-square for trend 5.49, P < 0.05), but not other examined food groups. Multivariate analysis selected sex, age, BMI and educational level as the variables independently related to H. pylori infection. CONCLUSION: This study confirms relatively high prevalence of H. pylori seropositivity among Italian healthy adults and points to sex, age, BMI and sociocultural class as persisting determinant features of H. pylori infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Relationship between esophageal motility and transit in patients with type I diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: Delayed esophageal transit and abnormal esophageal motility occur frequently in patients with long-standing diabetes mellitus. However, the relationship between transit and motility has not been assessed directly. The aim of this study was to investigate the patterns of esophageal motor function documented previously to have delayed esophageal emptying and esophageal transit in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Concurrent esophageal manometry and radionuclide measurement of transit of liquids and solids were performed in 11 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes, 10 age-matched controls, and 11 young normal subjects. RESULTS: Patients with diabetes had a greater frequency of transit hold-up for solids (96%) than did older controls (65%) or young normals (42%) (p < 0.001), whereas the frequency of transit hold-up for liquid boluses was similar among the three groups (diabetics, 36%; older normals, 17%; young normals, 17%). The major mechanism responsible for bolus hold-up in diabetics was peristaltic failure (liquid, 52%; solid, 67%) and the level of hold-up coincided with the level of bolus hold-up for 10/11 liquid and 27/28 solid boluses. CONCLUSIONS: In insulin-dependent diabetes, retarded esophageal transit usually reflects either peristaltic failure or focal low-amplitude pressure waves.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1999

Does the oxidative/glycolytic ratio determine proliferation or death in immune recognition?

Here we discuss the possibility that the way cells utilize fuel(s) for energy confers the properties that can be recognized by the immune system and, reciprocally, that recognition by the immune system can alter the balance of the cell's energy metabolism. We propose that immune recognition, of somatic cells via MHC can alter the their energy metabolism and induce a metabolic shift. We demonstrate the reciprocal relationship that inducing a shift in metabolism toward glycolysis by supplying glucose and insulin results in the upregulation of immunologically recognizable molecules such as cell surface Fas. Thus, immune recognition can induce metabolic deviation. Metabolic deviation can result in altered immune recognition and ultimately in cell proliferation, cell differentiation, or cell death.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Evidence that nitric oxide mechanisms regulate small intestinal motility in humans.

BACKGROUND: Non-cholinergic non-adrenergic neural mechanisms involving nerves containing NO have been shown to modulate smooth muscle in the gastrointestinal tract, and it has been suggested that release from tonic NO inhibition may be important in the regulation of cyclical fasting small intestinal motility. AIMS: To evaluate the role of NO mechanisms in the regulation of fasting small intestinal motor activity in humans using a specific NO synthase inhibitor, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine ( L-NMMA). METHODS: In seven healthy male volunteers, duodenal and jejunal pressures were measured for four hours with a nine lumen manometric catheter. Volunteers attended on four separate days on which they received an intravenous infusion either saline or L-NMMA (0.5, 2, or 4 mg/kg/h) in random order. Intravenous infusions began 10 minutes after completion of phase III of the migrating motor complex (MMC). RESULTS: The first episode of phase III activity occurred earlier after infusion of 2 and 4 mg/kg/h L-NMMA than after infusion of 0.5 mg/kg/h L-NMMA or saline (mean (95% confidence interval) 52 (36-68) and 57 (18-97) v 116 (69-193) and 145 (64-226) minutes respectively) with a resultant MMC cycle length of 82 (59-105) and 86 (46-126) v 132 (49-198) and 169 (98-240) minutes respectively. The total number of phase III activities during the four hour recording was increased (p<0.05) by L-NMMA at a dose of 4 mg/kg/h (2 (1-3)) but not at 2 mg/kg/h (1.5 (1-2)) or 0.5 mg/kg/h (1.3 (1-2)) compared with saline (1.3 (0.6-2)). L-NMMA had no effect on the duration, velocity, number of contractions per minute, length of migration, or site of origin of phase III of the MMC. The duration of phase I activity was shorter (p<0.05) with 4 mg/kg/h L-NMMA than with saline (12 (1-23) v 31 (19-44) minutes). CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that NO mechanisms play a role in the regulation of fasting small intestinal motor activity in humans.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Infratemporal fossa approaches to the lateral skull base.

The infra-temporal fossa approach is one of the lateral approaches to the skull base. It is indicated for the treatment of tumors such as glomus tumor, petrous apex cholesteatoma, chondroma, lower cranial nerve neuroma and nasopharyngeal cancer. In the present paper, we described the surgical anatomy of the lateral skull base and the indications for the infra-temporal fossa approach with its variants. We showed the hints and pitfalls in the procedures. Five illustrative cases are also presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

A multidrug-resistant breast cancer cell line induced by weekly exposure to doxorubicin.

Attempts to study drug resistance in vitro have focused on continuous exposure of cell lines to cytotoxic agents that results in marked resistance. In an effort to examine drug resistance in an environment that is more typical of a clinical setting, monolayered human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) were exposed weekly for one hour to doxorubicin at a concentration that is achieved in vivo (0.1 microg/ml). After 20 weeks, the treated cell line (C20) was found to be resistant to doxorubicin by a factor of 2.0-2.5 at the 10 and 1% cell survival level compared to parent MCF-7 cells. Additionally, cross resistance to other chemotherapeutic agents including etoposide, vincristine, cisplatin, and mitomycin C was observed. Similar to other models of in vitro drug resistance, no modification of radiosensitivity was observed in C20 cells. The p170 glycoprotein was not overexpressed on C20 cells as assessed by the anti-p170 glycoprotein monoclonal antibody C219 staining nor was mRNA for the mdr-1 or MRP gene overexpressed. In addition, the mdr-blocking agent verapamil had no effect on the level of resistance encountered in tissue culture. C20 cells did not differ from the parent cell line with respect to cell cycle distribution, doubling time, GSH, GSH peroxidase, GSH reductase or GSH transferase levels. After a one-hour exposure to doxorubicin, lower intracellular doxorubicin levels were found in C20 cells compared to the parent line which provides at least a partial explanation for resistance, although the mechanism for this is unclear. Although the magnitude of resistance observed in the C20 cell line is low compared to other in vitro models of drug resistance, the modest level of drug resistance is probably sufficient to explain drug resistance seen clinically. The model of non-mdr mediated drug resistance presented may be a more relevant model for the evaluation of drug resistance in vitro.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1999

Dietary determinants of colorectal proliferation in the normal mucosa of subjects with previous colon adenomas.

Dietary determinants of colorectal mucosa proliferation were studied in 69 subjects previously operated for at least two sporadic colon adenomas. Information on recent dietary habits was collected by a validated food frequency questionnaire, and proliferation was measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation in colorectal biopsies by determining the labeling index (LI) and the percentage of LI in the upper part of the crypt, two parameters that are increased in subjects at high risk of colon cancer. The LI was significantly higher in women as compared with men (P = 0.01). Diet showed several associations with colorectal mucosa proliferation: (a) subjects in the highest tertile of fish consumption had a significantly lower LI (P = 0.0013) compared with those in the lower tertiles [5.20 +/- 1.87 versus 6.80 +/- 2.18 (mean +/- SD)]; (b) subjects with a low red meat consumption had lower proliferation in the upper part of the crypt [2.38 +/- 2.10, 5.30 +/- 4.62, and 5.89 +/- 4.82 in the low, middle, and high tertile of consumption, respectively (mean +/- SD); P = 0.0093]; (c) according to estimated nutrient intakes, the LI was lower in subjects reporting a high intake of starch (P = 0.006) and higher in subjects with a low intake of beta-carotene (P = 0.002). The results show that subjects reporting a diet rich in fish, starch, and beta-carotene and low in red meat had lower colorectal mucosa proliferation and a normal pattern of proliferation along the crypt. Given the correlation between colorectal proliferative activity and colon cancer risk, such a dietary pattern might be beneficial for subjects at high risk of colon cancer.

Adenomatous Polyps↗