A42 INULIN PROMOTES POLYPS DEVELOPMENT IN APC
MIN/+ MOUSE COLONIZED BY ESCHERICHIA COLI NC101
Abstract Background Colibactin is a genotoxin that induces double-strand DNA breaks and is produced by Escherichia coli strains harboring the pks island. Human and animal studies have shown that colibactin-producing gut bacteria promote carcinogenesis and facilitate the progression of colorectal cancer through cellular senescence and chromosomal abnormalities. Aims In this study, we investigated the impact of inulin, a prebiotic able to modulate bacterial metabolism, in a colorectal cancer model, ApcMin/+mice, colonized by colibactin-producing E. coli strain NC101. Material & methods Apc Min/+ mice were subjected to oral gavage with PBS (control) or 108 cfu of E. coli NC101 after a week of receiving a 2% dextran sulfate sodium solution in drinking water. Mice were fed a diet supplemented with 10% cellulose (control) or 10% inulin for 4 weeks. During necropsy, the number of polyps in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon was counted. Tumors in the colon were graded and the erythroid parameters were measured. Results We showed that the inulin diet increased the number of polyps in the ileum compared to cellulose. Moreover, mice colonized with E. coli NC101 and on the inulin diet presented severe anemia associated with an increasing number of polyps in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum compared to mice supplemented with cellulose. Conclusions Our results suggest that, in vivo, inulin promotes polyp development in the small intestine of ApcMin/+ mice colonized by pks+ E. coli strain NC101. Funding Agencies CIHRNSERC