Immunometabolic Profile Associated with Progressive Damage of the Intestinal Mucosa in Adults Screened for Colorectal Cancer: Association with Diet

Environmental factors such as diet and lifestyle have been shown to influence the development of some intestinal mucosal lesions that may be precursors of colorectal cancer (CRC). The presence of these alterations seems to be associated with misbalanced immunological parameter levels. However, it is still unclear as to which immunological parameters are altered in each phase of CRC development. In this work, we aimed to study the potential relationships of immunological and metabolic parameters with diet in a CRC-related lesion context. Dietary information was obtained using an annual semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) from 93 volunteers classified via colonoscopy examination according to the presence of intestinal polyps or adenocarcinoma. Cytokines, chemokines, and adipokines were determined from serum samples. We observed a reduction in adiponectin according to the damage to the mucosa, accompanied by an increase and decrease in C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) and resistin, respectively, in CRC cases. The presence of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in the polyp group was associated with higher tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) concentrations. Vegetables were directly correlated with adiponectin and resistin levels, while the opposite occurred with red meat. A bioactive compound, soluble pectin, showed a negative association with TNF-alpha. Future dietary strategies could be developed to modulate specific immunological parameters in the context of CRC.

Automated summary

Environmental factors like diet and lifestyle have been found to influence the development of precursor lesions for colorectal cancer (CRC) by affecting certain immunological parameters. However, the specific immunological parameters altered in each stage of CRC development are still unclear. In this study, the potential relationships between immunological and metabolic parameters with diet in a CRC-related lesion context were investigated. The results showed that damage to the mucosa was associated with a decrease in adiponectin, an increase in CXCL10, and a decrease in resistin levels in CRC cases. Furthermore, the presence of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in the polyp group was linked to higher concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Vegetables were positively correlated with adiponectin and resistin levels, while red meat showed the opposite correlation. Soluble pectin, a bioactive compound, exhibited a negative association with TNF-alpha. These findings suggest that future dietary strategies could be developed to modulate specific immunological parameters in the context of CRC.