The Therapeutic Effects of Freeze-Dried Black Raspberries on N-Nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA)-Induced Tumorigenesis in the Rat Esophagus Robeena Aziz, Ron Nines, Laura Kresty, , Hayian Qin, and Gary Stoner Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The Ohio State University and Comprehensive Cancer Center , Columubus, OH 43210. Epidemiological data suggest an inverse relationship between consumption of fruit and vegetables and the occurrence of several types of cancer. In particular, the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the human esophagus has been linked to diets deficient in fruit and vegetables. Recently, we have taken a "food based" approach to the prevention of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in rodents. We found that the administration of freeze-dried strawberries and black raspberries, at concentrations of 5 and 10% in a synthetic diet, produced significant decreases in N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA)-induced esophageal tumors in rats. The berries were effective when administered in the diet before, during and after fifteen weeks of NMBA treatment, and also when given continuously in the diet beginning one week after five weeks of NMBA treatment. Thus, the berries exhibited both anti-initiation and anti-promotion/progression effects. In the present study, we evaluated whether the berries might exhibit therapeutic effects against esophageal cancer in rats. Six week-old male F344 rats were placed on AIN-76A diet and injected s.c. with 0.5 mg/kg NMBA once per week for 15 weeks. Four weeks later (at 19 weeks), when they had an average of (5 to 6) papillomas per esophagus, NMBA-treated rats were started on diets containing either 0, 5, 10, or 20% freeze-dried black raspberries. For several weeks after initiation of berry treatment, the survival of rats in berry-fed groups was higher than in rats fed AIN-76A control diet. After seven weeks of berry treatment (26 weeks), all surviving rats were sacrificed and esophageal tumor incidence, multiplicity and size determined. In animals fed 10% and 20% black raspberries, there were no significant differences in tumor incidence, multiplicity or size when compared to NMBA-treated controls. Animals fed 5% black raspberries, however, had a significant reduction in tumor multiplicity when compared to NMBA-treated controls. These results suggest that dietary administration of freeze-dried black raspberries may have some therapeutic value, and that the higher concentrations (10 and 20%) of berries may be less effective than the lower (5%) concentrations. Similar results were observed in post-initiation bioassays in which 5% black raspberries were found to be more effective in preventing NMBA-induced esophageal tumorigenesis than 10% black raspberries. Additional bioassays are underway to confirm the therapeutic effect of berries on esophageal tumorigenesis. AACR Abstract Number: LB-90, 2003 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.