MITOTIC-ACTIVITY IN COLORECTAL MUCOSA OF HEALTHY-SUBJECTS IN 2 ITALIAN AREAS WITH DIFFERENT DIETARY HABITS

The proliferative activity was evaluated in colorectal biopsies of 39 healthy subjects living in two distinct geographical areas, Trieste in northern and Florence in central Italy. Subjects living in Trieste ha d a significantly higher mitotic activity compared with subjects livin g in Florence (mitoses/cells counted x 100 were 0.17 +/- 0.04 in Tries te and 0,089 +/- 0.02 in Florence). The results of a dietary questionn aire also showed that subjects in Trieste consumed significantly fewer starches, fibers, nitrites, and proteins. However, no correlation was evident between the consumption of these nutrients and intestinal pro liferation.