Whole almonds and almond fractions reduce aberrant crypt foci in a rat model of colon carcinogenesis

Almonds and other nuts appear to confer health benefits despite their high fat content. To assess the effect of almonds on colon cancer, whole almond- , almond meal- or almond oil-containing diet effects on aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in azoxymethane-treated F344 male rats were investigated. Six-week-o ld male F344 rats were fed the various almond and control diets and given s ubcutaneous injections of azoxymethane (15 mg/kg body weight) twice 1 week apart. After 26 weeks animals were injected with bromodeoxyuridine 1 h prio r to sacrifice, after which colons were evaluated for ACF and cell turnover (labeling index, LI). Whole almond ACF and LI were both significantly lowe r than wheat bran and cellulose diet groups (-30 and -40%, respectively), w hile almond meal and almond oil ACF and almond meal LI declines were only s ignificant vs. cellulose (P < 0.05). These results suggest that almond cons umption may reduce colon cancer risk and does so via at least one almond li pid-associated component. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.