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of HCC ranks sixth among all cancers. Under normal harmful microorganisms. The combination of prebiotics
[12]
physiologic conditions, the liver ensures homeostasis of lipid and probiotics has given rise to so-called “synbiotics”,
and lipoprotein metabolism. Accordingly, hepatic cellular with promising healthy properties. Experimental data
[13]
[1]
damage impairs liver function and can lead to alterations demonstrates that IN and oligofructose affect processes and
in lipid metabolism, and subsequently, may play a vital parameters involved in lipid metabolism, thus producing a
role in the development of HCC. Moreover, lipids are also beneficial effect on diseases related to lipid disorders such
involved in cellular signaling. In particular, lysophosphatidic as atherosclerosis. [14]
acid is a powerful cellular signaling agent and acts as a
potent mitogenic molecule. However, according to recent In light of this, this study was carried out to elucidate the
[1]
reports, the incidence of HCC has increased sharply in the effective role of IN on HCC-linked adverse effects, and to
last decade, especially in Egypt, where there has been a evaluate its activity as a chemo-sensitizer for CIS treatment.
doubling of the incidence rate during the last 10 years.
This sharp rise has been attributed to several factors METHODS
including hepatitis B and C virus infections, endemic
infections in the community as schistosomiasis, as well as Experimental animals
environmental factors. Cisplatin (CIS) is extensively used as This study was performed on adult male Wistar rats;
[3]
a chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of HCC. A major weighing 120-150 g. Rats were obtained from the Institute
problem with CIS treatment of HCC is the development of of Ophthalmic Disease Research (Cairo, Egypt). They
CIS chemoresistance. Revealing the underlying mechanism were housed in stainless steel cages in an automatically
[4]
for the development of chemoresistance is indispensable for illuminated and thermally controlled room (12 h light/dark
developing effective chemotherapeutic agents. Cellular cycle at 22-25 °C) at the Animal House, Faculty of Science,
[4]
proliferation, an important prerequisite for tumorigenesis, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt. Rats were permitted
imparts metabolic challenges. The constant doubling an adequate standard diet (60% ground corn meal, 15%
[5]
of proteins and lipids requires uptake of nutrients in round beans, 10% bran, 10% corn oil, 3% casein, 1% mineral
excess of that normally required. In addition to increasing mixture, and 1% vitamin mixture) purchased from Meladco
nutrient uptake, proliferating cells also increase metabolic Feed Company (Aubor City, Cairo, Egypt), and given water
pathways to support biosynthesis. Chicory (Cichorium ad libitum for an adaptation period of 1 week prior to the
[6]
intybus L.) is one of the most promising novel candidates experimental work. This experimental study was approved
among carbohydrates with potential for both nutrient and by review board of Mansoura University.
non-nutrient utilization. It has been implemented in folk Chemicals
medicine from North Africa to South Asia for more than Thioacetamide (TAA) and chicory extract (IN) were purchased
100 years. Fresh chicory typically contains 68% inulin (IN), from Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis, MO, USA). CIS was
[7]
14% sucrose, 5% cellulose, 6% protein, 4% ash, and 3% other purchased from Tarshouby Pharmacy (Mansoura, Egypt).
compounds, while dried chicory contains approximately 98%
IN and 2% other compounds. Chicory IN is a natural linear Study design
[8]
molecule of fructose with 9-(2-l) glycosidic linkages that are After the acclimation period, rats were divided into five groups
not digested in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract (6 rats each). The first group was a normal control group fed a
but fermented in the cecocolon. IN, a naturally occurring normal diet without any treatment. The second group consisted
[9]
fermentable chicory fructan, has been shown to stimulate the of normal rats fed a normal diet while receiving TAA daily in
growth of bifidobacterium, which are regarded as beneficial drinking water at a dose of 200 mg/kg b.w for 4 months. The
[15]
strains in the colon and have been found to inhibit colon third group consisted of normal rats fed a normal diet receiving
and liver carcinogenesis in laboratory animal models. CIS (7.5 mg/kg b.w) as a single intraperitoneal dose in addition
[10]
IN is fermentable dietary fiber, resistant to hydrolysis by to TAA for 4 months. In the fourth group, rats orally received
[16]
pancreatic amylase and saccharidases in the upper IN (10 mg/kg b.w) in addition to TAA for 4 months. The fifth
[17]
gastrointestinal tract. Previous studies have demonstrated group of rats were administered CIS (7.5 mg/kg b.w) as a single
that IN is produced enzymatically from sucrose and that intraperitoneal dose and IN orally (10 mg/kg b.w) in addition
supplementing IN to high-fat diets for 12 weeks reduced to TAA for 4 months.
body weight and serum and hepatic levels of triacylglycerols
in rats. IN in human nutrition is noted for its prebiotic Blood and liver sampling
[11]
effect, that is, the specific stimulation of growth and/or At the end of the experimental period, rats were sacrificed
activity of a limited number of colonic bacteria beneficial to by cervical dislocation, and blood samples from each rat
the host, as well as its inhibition in growth of pathogens and were collected into clean centrifuge tubes and centrifuged at

148 Hepatoma Research | Volume 1 | Issue 3 | October 15, 2015