Wheat antioxidants suppress intestinal tumor activity in Min mice

Whole grains contain antioxidants associated with reduced risk of several forms of cancer. This study compared 5 wheat varieties, with low to high antioxidant potential, on their antitumor properties in Min mice. Diets with equal fiber content were fed as whole wheat or wheat bran for 10 weeks. Intestinal tumors were counted to determine tumor multiplicity and measured to determine tumor load. Mice fed whole wheat diets gained more weight than those fed wheat bran diets. Tumor multiplicity was reduced in the two groups fed wheat diets with the highest antioxidant potential. Tumor load was reduced in 4 of the wheat bran groups and in 2 of the whole wheat groups. Regression analysis revealed inverse relationships between dietary antioxidant potential and tumor multiplicity in whole wheat and wheat bran diet groups and tumor load in wheat bran diet groups. This study showed that antioxidant potentials of wheat in the diets was associated with their antitumor activity.