Evaluation of the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum as a probiotic supplement on colorectal cancer affected by fatty foods

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fatty foods on colon tissue and also to evaluate the effects and function of Lactobacillus plantarum on colorectal cancer in comparison with chemotherapy drugs. 25 rats prepared from Pasteur Institute of Iran were divided into 5 groups: rats in negative control group received water and normal food and in fatty food group, the rats consumed only high-fat food. In the other groups, intestinal cancer was induced by adding Sodium dextran sulfate to drinking water, injection of azoxymethane and consumption of fatty foods. The tumor group did not receive treatment after cancer. The Lactobacillus plantarum group was gavaged with this microorganism and the chemotherapy group received 5-fluorouracil. The levels of interferon-gamma, interleukin-4 and transforming growth factor-beta cytokines were evaluated in rat blood serum. Pathological examination of intestinal tissue was assessed by hematoxylineosin staining. The present study showed that the consumption of fatty foods causes polyps in the rat intestine and regular consumption of Lactobacillus plantarum increases interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 and decreases transforming growth factor-beta, the same as chemotherapy drugs. Also, the pathological examination showed apoptosis in cancer cells in the groups receiving lactobacillus plantarum and the chemotherapy drug. Fat consumption is effective in the development of gastrointestinal diseases such as adenomas and intestinal polyps and intaking appropriate doses of probiotics such as Lactobacillus plantarum can improve colon cancer.