Cancer research
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Because of potential significance of fecal mutagens and secondary bile acids in the pathogenesis of colonic cancer and of inverse association between dietary fiber and colonic cancer risk, the effect of dietary wheat and rye fiber on fecal mutagenic activity and bile acid levels was studied in 15 healthy men and women who were consuming high fat/moderately low fiber diets and excreting high levels of fecal mutagens and bile acids. Each participant provided two 24-h stool specimens and a 3-day diet record while consuming their normal diet (control). All subjects were then asked to consume their normal diet plus 11 g of supplemental fiber per day in the form of whole grain bread for 4 weeks. ⋯ The concentration of fecal secondary bile acids was significantly lower during the fiber supplemental period in all subjects. Fiber supplementation also inhibited the fecal mutagenic activity in TA100 and TA98 with and without microsomal activation. Thus, the increased fiber intake in the form of whole wheat and rye bread may reduce the production and/or excretion of fecal mutagens and decrease the concentration of fecal secondary bile acids in humans.
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Hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA), a potent differentiating agent, was tested in patients with refractory, solid tumors. Twenty patients received 25 evaluable courses. HMBA was given by continuous i.v. infusion for 5 consecutive days with courses repeated every 4 wk, provided there was acceptable, reversible toxicity. ⋯ Once Css was achieved, daily variation was generally less than or equal to 10% from the mean Css. HMBA plasma Css increased linearly with dose, but there was variation in the Css achieved in individual patients at each dose. Doses of 24 to 33.6 g/m2/day consistently produced plasma HMBA Css of 1 to 2 mM matching concentrations required for differentiation in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)