High-fructose corn syrup enhances intestinal tumor growth in mice.

Publication Type Academic Article
Authors Goncalves M, Lu C, Tutnauer J, Hartman T, Hwang S, Murphy C, Pauli C, Morris R, Taylor S, Bosch K, Yang S, Wang Y, Van Riper J, Lekaye H, Roper J, Kim Y, Chen Q, Gross S, Rhee K, Cantley L, Yun J
Journal Science
Volume 363
Issue 6433
Pagination 1345-1349
Date Published 03/22/2019
ISSN 1095-9203
Keywords Carcinogenesis, Diet, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Intestinal Neoplasms, Tumor Burden
Abstract Excessive consumption of beverages sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is associated with obesity and with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Whether HFCS contributes directly to tumorigenesis is unclear. We investigated the effects of daily oral administration of HFCS in adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) mutant mice, which are predisposed to develop intestinal tumors. The HFCS-treated mice showed a substantial increase in tumor size and tumor grade in the absence of obesity and metabolic syndrome. HFCS increased the concentrations of fructose and glucose in the intestinal lumen and serum, respectively, and the tumors transported both sugars. Within the tumors, fructose was converted to fructose-1-phosphate, leading to activation of glycolysis and increased synthesis of fatty acids that support tumor growth. These mouse studies support the hypothesis that the combination of dietary glucose and fructose, even at a moderate dose, can enhance tumorigenesis.
DOI 10.1126/science.aat8515
PubMed ID 30898933
PubMed Central ID PMC6487857
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