INHIBITION OF AZOXYMETHANE-INITIATED COLON-TUMOR BY BOVINE LACTOFERRIN ADMINISTRATION IN F344 RATS

The influence of bovine lactoferrin (bLF) on colon carcinogenesis was investigated in male F344 rats treated with azoxymethane (AOM). Follow ing three weekly injections of AOM, the animals received 2 or 0.2% bLF for 36 weeks, No effects indicative of toxicity were noted, but signi ficant reduction in both the incidence and number of adenocarcinomas o f the large intestine was observed with both doses. Thus, the incidenc es of adenocarcinomas in the groups receiving 2% and 0.2% bLF were 15% and 25%, respectively, in contrast to the 57.5% control value (P < 0. 01 and P < 0.05, respectively). The results indicate that bLF might fi nd application for chemoprevention of colon cancer.