Additive Effects of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) in Experimental Oral Carcinogenesis

Introduction: Nowadays, fructose uses dramatically increased in form of High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) found in juices and packed food. Sustained fructose utilization is detrimental to long-term human health. Objectives: To assess the additive effects of HFCS during 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)Anthracene (DMBA)-induced Hamster Buccal Pouch Carcinogenesis (HBPCs) model. Materials and Methods: The animals were separated into eight groups: Group I; vehicle control; Group II (0.5% DMBA); Group III and IV (HFCS 8% and 25%); Group V (Sucrose 10%); Group VI and VII (0.5% DMBA+HFCS 8 and 25%) and VIII group (0.5% DMBA+Sucrose 10%) respectively for 14 weeks. After the 14th week of treatment; the tumor morphology, buccal histopathology, and biochemical markers were measured and compared with carcinogenic control as well as vehicle control. Observations and Results: The buccal pouch of golden Syrian hamsters developed well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma after getting topical applications of 0.5% DMBA in liquid paraffin three times a week for 14 weeks. Although DMBA treatment alone caused 100% tumor development in hamsters, drinking water administration of HFCS at a concentration of 25%/kg body weight (b.w.) to DMBA-treated hamster greatly accelerated the development of oral tumors. Additionally, during DMBA-induced oral carcinogenesis, HFCS moderatingly increased the lipid peroxidation by-products, decreased the status of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, modulated the levels of phase I and phase II detoxification agents, and favored the excretion of carcinogenic metabolite. Conclusion: The present study concludes that the additive effect of HFCS relies on its altered peroxidative and antioxidant function as well as effects on phase I and II detoxification enzymes during DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. Taken together the current study described that HFCS induced oral tumour development. From this study we suggested HFCS usage to be curtailed.