WHEAT FIBER, LACTULOSE AND RECTAL MUCOSAL PROLIFERATION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH A FAMILY HISTORY OF COLORECTAL-CANCER

In a single-blind study 38 individuals at increased risk of developing colorectal cancer because of a family history of the disease were ran domized to take 10.5 g wheat fibre (Trifyba) or 60 ml lactulose daily for 12 weeks. Rectal biopsies were taken before and after treatment an d rectal mucosal proliferation was measured by the crypt cell producti on rate (CCPR). The mean(s.d.) CCPR was significantly lower in those t aking wheat fibre after 12 weeks (7.2(3.4) crypt cells per crypt per h ) compared both with values obtained before treatment with wheat fibre (10.2(5.1) crypt cells per crypt per h; P=0.02) and after treatment w ith latulose (9.4(3.8) crypt cells per crypt per h; P=0.05). Prolifera tion in the lactulose group was not significantly different at 12 week s compared with the value obtained before treatment. This study confir ms an anti-proliferative eff4ect of wheat fibre in a group of high-ris k individuals.