Microencapsulated and in Combination with Quercetin Inhibit Colorectal Cancer Development in Apc Mice.

Recent studies have suggested that flavonoids such as quercetin and probiotics such as () and () could play a relevant role in inhibiting colon cancer cell growth. Our study investigated the role of dietary supplementation with microencapsulated probiotics ( and ) along with quercetin in the development of mouse colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: Adenomatous polyposis coli/multiple intestinal neoplasia (Apc) mice were fed a standard diet or the same diet supplemented with microencapsulated probiotics ( and strains, 10 CFU/100 g food) or both probiotics strains plus microencapsulated quercetin (15 mg/100 g food) for 73 days. Changes in body and organ weights, energy metabolism, intestinal microbiota, and colon tissue were determined. The expression of genes related to the Wnt pathway was also analyzed in colon samples. Results: Dietary supplementation with microencapsulated probiotics or microencapsulated probiotics plus quercetin reduced body weight loss and intestinal bleeding in Apc mice. An improvement in energy expenditure was observed after 8 weeks but not after 10 weeks of treatment. A supplemented diet with microencapsulated and reduced the number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and adenomas by 45% and 60%, respectively, whereas the supplementation with , and quercetin decreased the number of ACF and adenomas by 57% and 80%, respectively. Microencapsulated and in combination with quercetin could exert inhibition of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the colon of Apc mice Conclusions: The administration of microencapsulated and , individually or in combination with quercetin, inhibits the CRC development in Apc mice.