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An elevated protein diet does not accelerate initiation and early progression of MNU‐induced breast cancer tumors in rats
Author(s) -
Moulton Christopher John,
Valentine Rudy,
Wallig Matthew,
Monaco Marcia,
Singletary Keith,
Layman Donald
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.897.8
Subject(s) - medicine , endocrinology , breast cancer , meal , cancer , biology , physiology
There is growing interest in identifying nutritional factors that modify risk and development of breast cancer. This study evaluated the influence of feeding low vs. high protein diets (LP vs. HP) on measures of tumor incidence. LP and HP diets consisted of 60:15:25 (carbohydrate:protein:fat as % energy) and 40:35:25, respectively. Female SD rats ~140 g were injected intraperitoneally with N ‐nitroso‐ N ‐methylurea (MNU) at 50 mg/kg, and subsequently fed 3 times/d for 10 wk to mimic human meal patterns. Body weight, food intake and tumor appearance/growth were monitored throughout the study. At 10 wk, rats were killed; serum insulin and IGF‐1, tumor size and pathology were evaluated. Food intake did not differ between groups but final body weight was 4% greater in HP. No differences existed in fasted or post‐prandial insulin, however post‐prandial IGF‐1 was significantly greater in HP. There were no differences in tumor latency, cumulative surface area, mass or stage of histological development. Although more LP animals (56%) had tumors than HP (40%), the difference was not significant (p = 0.19). Despite elevation of IGF‐1 in HP, this study fails to demonstrate any direct effect of normal levels of dietary protein or carbohydrate to exacerbate the initiation and early progression of breast cancer tumors. Support: Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research