Dietary Oat Bran Reduces Systemic Inflammation in Mice Subjected to Pelvic Irradiation.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate whether a high-oat bran diet could mitigate radiation-induced inflammation in mice undergoing colorectal irradiation.
Results Summary
The study found that mice on a high-oat bran diet had significantly lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to those on a no-fiber diet after irradiation, suggesting oat bran reduces radiation-induced inflammation both early and late.
Population
C57BL/6J male mice subjected to colorectal irradiation.
Effective Dosage
15% fiber (high-oat bran diet).
Duration
2 weeks before irradiation and up to 18 weeks after irradiation.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
irradiation | increase | serum cytokine levels | C57BL/6J male mice | - | increased | #1 |
No-fiber diet | increase | pro-inflammatory cytokines | irradiated mice | - | had significantly higher levels | #2 |
High-oat bran diet | decrease | radiation-induced inflammation | mice | - | reduces the intensity | #3 |
low-fiber diet during radiotherapy | increase | decreased intestinal health | cancer survivors | - | may increase the risk | #4 |
Patients undergoing radiotherapy to treat pelvic-organ cancer are commonly advised to follow a restricted fiber diet. However, reducing dietary fiber may promote gastrointestinal inflammation, eventually leading to deteriorated intestinal health. The goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of dietary fiber on radiation-induced inflammation. C57BL/6J male mice were fed a High-oat bran diet (15% fiber) or a No-fiber diet (0% fiber) and were either irradiated (32 Gy delivered in four fractions) to the colorectal region or only sedated (controls). The dietary intervention started at 2 weeks before irradiation and lasted for 1, 6, and 18 weeks after irradiation, at which time points mice were sacrificed and their serum samples were assayed for 23 cytokines and chemokines. Our analyses show that irradiation increased the serum cytokine levels at all the time points analyzed. The No-fiber irradiated mice had significantly higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines than the High-oat irradiated mice at all time points. The results indicate that a fiber-rich oat bran diet reduces the intensity of radiation-induced inflammation, both at an early and late stage. Based on the results, it seems that the advice to follow a low-fiber diet during radiotherapy may increase the risk of decreased intestinal health in cancer survivors.