Integrated study of metabolomics and gut metabolic activity from ulcerative colitis to colorectal cancer: The combined action of disordered gut microbiota and linoleic acid metabolic pathway might fuel cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading cancers that cause cancer-related deaths worldwide. The gut microbiota has been proved to show relevance with colorectal tumorigenesis through microbial metabolites. By decomposing various dietary residues in the intestinal tract, gut microbiota harvest energy and produce a variety of metabolites to affect the host physiology. However, some of these metabolites are oncogenic factors for CRC. With the advent of metabolomics technology, studies profiling microbiota-derived metabolites have greatly accelerated the progress in our understanding of the host-microbiota metabolism interactions in CRC. In this review, we briefly summarize the present metabolomics techniques in microbial metabolites researches and the mechanisms of microbial metabolites in CRC pathogenesis, furthermore, we discuss the potential clinical applications of microbial metabolites in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

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Postoperative Complications Are Associated with Long-Term Changes in the Gut Microbiota Following Colorectal Cancer Surgery

Life ◽

10.3390/life11030246 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 246

Author(s):

Felix C.F. Schmitt ◽

Martin Schneider ◽

William Mathejczyk ◽

Markus A. Weigand ◽

Jane C. Figueiredo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Postoperative Complications ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

Tumor Resection ◽

Microbial Composition ◽

Colorectal Cancer Surgery ◽

Long Term Changes ◽

Stool Samples

Changes in the gut microbiome have already been associated with postoperative complications in major abdominal surgery. However, it is still unclear whether these changes are transient or a long-lasting effect. Therefore, the aim of this prospective clinical pilot study was to examine long-term changes in the gut microbiota and to correlate these changes with the clinical course of the patient. Methods: In total, stool samples of 62 newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients undergoing primary tumor resection were analyzed by 16S-rDNA next-generation sequencing. Stool samples were collected preoperatively in order to determine the gut microbiome at baseline as well as at 6, 12, and 24 months thereafter to observe longitudinal changes. Postoperatively, the study patients were separated into two groups—patients who suffered from postoperative complications (n = 30) and those without complication (n = 32). Patients with postoperative complications showed a significantly stronger reduction in the alpha diversity starting 6 months after operation, which does not resolve, even after 24 months. The structure of the microbiome was also significantly altered from baseline at six-month follow-up in patients with complications (p = 0.006). This was associated with a long-lasting decrease of a large number of species in the gut microbiota indicating an impact in the commensal microbiota and a long-lasting increase of Fusobacterium ulcerans. The microbial composition of the gut microbiome shows significant changes in patients with postoperative complications up to 24 months after surgery.

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Interplay between the Gut Microbiota and Inflammatory Mediators in the Development of Colorectal Cancer

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13040734 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 734

Author(s):

Gwangbeom Heo ◽

Yunna Lee ◽

Eunok Im

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Inflammatory Mediators ◽

Tumor Metastasis ◽

Intestinal Tract ◽

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation ◽

Fecal Microbiota ◽

Therapeutic Interventions ◽

Potential Therapeutic Target ◽

Necrosis Factor

Inflammatory mediators modulate inflammatory pathways during the development of colorectal cancer. Inflammatory mediators secreted by both immune and tumor cells can influence carcinogenesis, progression, and tumor metastasis. The gut microbiota, which colonize the entire intestinal tract, especially the colon, are closely linked to colorectal cancer through an association with inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor, nuclear factor kappa B, interleukins, and interferons. This association may be a potential therapeutic target, since therapeutic interventions targeting the gut microbiota have been actively investigated in both the laboratory and in clinics and include fecal microbiota transplantation and probiotics.

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Fecal microbiota dynamics during disease activity and remission in newly diagnosed and established ulcerative colitis

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-87973-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lena Öhman ◽

Anders Lasson ◽

Anna Strömbeck ◽

Stefan Isaksson ◽

Marcus Hesselmar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ulcerative Colitis ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Temporal Dynamics ◽

Fecal Microbiota ◽

Disease Stage ◽

Dietary Interventions ◽

Microbial Composition ◽

Fecal Samples ◽

Specific Species

AbstractPatients with ulcerative colitis (UC) have an altered gut microbiota composition, but the microbial relationship to disease activity needs to be further elucidated. Therefore, temporal dynamics of the fecal microbial community during remission and flare was determined. Fecal samples were collected at 2–6 time-points from UC patients during established disease (cohort EST) and at diagnosis (cohort NEW). Sampling range for cohort EST was 3–10 months and for cohort NEW 36 months. Relapses were monitored for an additional three years for cohort EST. Microbial composition was assessed by Genetic Analysis GA-map Dysbiosis Test, targeting ≥ 300 bacteria. Eighteen patients in cohort EST (8 with maintained remission and 10 experiencing a flare), provided 71 fecal samples. In cohort NEW, 13 patients provided 49 fecal samples. The microbial composition showed no clustering related to disease activity in any cohort. Microbial dissimilarity was higher between than within patients for both cohorts, irrespective of presence of a flare. Microbial stability within patients was constant over time with no major shift in overall composition nor modification in the abundance of any specific species. Microbial composition was not affected by intensified medical treatment or linked to future disease course. Thus in UC, the gut microbiota is highly stable irrespective of disease stage, disease activity or treatment escalation. This suggests that prolonged dietary interventions or repeated fecal transplantations are needed to be able to induce permanent alterations of the gut microbiota.

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