Impact of inulin on bile acids induced colon cancer

Bile acids are normal components of the luminal contents of gastrointestinal tract but have been reported to cause oxidative damage by stimulating the generation of free oxygen radicals from the mitochondria. Several studies have demonstrated the contribution of reactive species to mutagenesis, carcinogenesis and tumor promotion. There is accumulating evidence to show that some carbohydrates and carbohydrate-containing molecules possess antioxidant ability by inhibiting the production of reactive species. Prebiotics are complex carbohydrates which have been shown to improve gut health when used in combination with probiotics. However, there is paucity of data on how prebiotics alone affect gut health and by which mechanism of action. The reactive oxygen scavenging ability of inulin, a prebiotic, has been shown in vitro in non-cell based system and in mice. The anti-inflammatory effect, through production of short chain fatty acids by fermentable inulin has also been shown. However, the mechanism of inulin in the amelioration of bile acid induced cancer remains unknown.