Nutritional prevention of colorectal cancer

Hemoglobin levels in red blood cells and risk of colorectal cancer: A causal investigation based on Mendelian randomization

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) is a critical parameter in red blood cells, associated with various diseases. While studies suggest a potential link between MCH levels and colorectal cancer (CRC), observational studies are insufficient to establish causality directly. This study utilized a 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to investigate the genetic causal relationship between MCH and colorectal cancer (CRC). Genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data for both MCH and CRC were sourced from relevant databases. MR analyses were performed using methods including inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode. Cochrane's Q test was applied to assess heterogeneity in the MR findings. Horizontal pleiotropy was evaluated using the MR-Egger intercept test and the MR Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO) test. Additionally, a leave-one-out analysis was conducted to assess the robustness of this association. The IVW method demonstrated that MCH is an independent risk factor for colorectal cancer (P = .013). Horizontal pleiotropy is unlikely to influence the causal relationship (P > .05), and there was no evidence of heterogeneity among the genetic variants (P > .05). Lastly, the leave-one-out test confirmed the stability and robustness of the association. All participants in the GWAS were derived from a specific population. Due to limitations inherent to the database, the Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis was unable to incorporate stratified analyses by country, ethnicity, or age group.

Associations between diet and nutritional supplements and colorectal cancer: A systematic review

Background and Aim

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers around the world. The link between nutrients and the likelihood of developing CRC remains uncertain. The primary objective of the present study was to investigate the potential connection between dietary intake/dietary supplements and the occurrence of CRC through a literature review.

Methods

A comprehensive online search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library from January 1990 to March 2023 using appropriate keywords. A systematic search was conducted for clinical trials and cohort studies in order to determine the relationship between dietary components/supplements and CRC.

Results

The intake of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFAs), consisting of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), has the potential to decrease the likelihood of developing CRC (eight studies found positive effects and four studies found no association). Some other dietary components such as probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics may contribute to suppressing CRC development (three studies found positive effects, whereas three studies did not find any association). There is inconclusive evidence that supplementation with certain micronutrients including vitamin D (one trial found positive effects and another trial reported no association), folate, zinc, and selenium may reduce the risk of CRC.

Conclusion

Some dietary supplements such as n-3 LCPUFAs and probiotics have the potential to reduce the risk of developing CRC. Further studies are necessary to validate these results and understand the underlying mechanisms.

Dietary insulin indices and low-carbohydrate diet and the odds of colorectal cancer: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Regarding the role of insulin and insulin-inducing dietary factors in some cancers' etiology, we hypothesized that the risk of colorectal cancer may be lessened by following a lower carbohydrate and insulinogenic diet. Therefore, we performed this study to explore the association between a low-carbohydrate diet and insulin indices and the odds of colorectal cancer.

METHOD

This hospital-based case-control study was conducted on 150 newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients and 300 healthy age- and sex-matched hospitalized controls. A valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire was used to calculate the insulin indices and low-carbohydrate diet score. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the association between insulin indices and low-carbohydrate diet and the odds of colorectal cancer.

RESULT

After adjusting for potential confounders, individuals in the highest tertile of insulin indices had a higher risk of colorectal cancer (OR insulin index  = 3.46; 95% CI, 2.00-5.96; OR insulin load  = 2; 95% CI, 1.17-3.41). No association was found between a low-carbohydrate diet and colorectal cancer (OR = 1.55; 95% CI, 0.85-2.84).

CONCLUSION

Current results demonstrated that a high insulinemic diet was associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer.

Association of soy intake and cooking methods with colorectal polyp and adenoma prevalence: findings from the extended Lanxi pre-colorectal cancer cohort (LP3C)

Background

Limited research has explored the association between dietary soy products and colorectal polyps and adenomas, with insufficient attention given to cooking methods and subtypes of polyps. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the relationship between soy intake, its cooking methods, and the risk of colorectal polyps and adenomas within a high-incidence population of colorectal cancer (CRC) in China.

Methods

Data were derived from 14,903 participants aged 40-80 years, enrolled in the extended Lanxi Pre-colorectal Cancer Cohort (LP3C) between March 2018 and December 2022. This cross-sectional study is based on the participants' baseline information. Long-term dietary information was collected through a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and colorectal polyps and adenomas were identified through electronic colonoscopy. Employing multivariate logistic regression, results were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results

4,942 cases of colorectal polyps and 2,678 cases of adenomas were ascertained. A significant positive association was found between total soy intake and the occurrence of polyps/adenomas. Considering cooking methods, a notable increase in polyp risk was associated with the consumption of fried soys while no association was detected for boiled or marinated soys. Furthermore, total soy intake demonstrated associations with large and multiple polyps, polyps Yamade-typed less than II, and polyps across all anatomical subsites.

Conclusion

Within the high-risk CRC population in China, increased soy product intake was linked to a higher risk of polyps, primarily attributed to the consumption of fried soys. This suggests that modifying cooking methods to avoid fried soys may serve as a preventive strategy for colorectal polyps.

The global burden and trends analysis of early-onset colorectal cancer attributable to dietary risk factors in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019: a secondary analysis for the global burden of disease study 2019

Background

Rising trends in early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) burden have been observed, but the distribution and temporal patterns of early-onset CRC attributable to dietary risks remain unclear.

Objectives

This study aimed to estimate the burden of early-onset CRC attributable to dietary risk factors globally, regionally, and nationally, by age and sex, from 1990 to 2019.

Methods

The absolute number and age-specific rates (ASR) of diet-related early-onset CRC burden, as well as summary exposure value (SEV) of attributable dietary risk factors, were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019. The temporal changes in the burden between 1990 and 2019 were analyzed by calculating the percentage change in the absolute number of burden and the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) in ASR of burden. The annualized rates of change (ARC) were calculated to evaluate the variation trend of SEV.

Results

In 2019, diet-related early-onset CRC caused 30,096 (95% UI: 23,148 to 36,091) death cases and 1,465,755 (95% UI: 1,126,489 to 1,761,661) DALYs worldwide, accounting for 34.8% deaths and 34.4% DALYs of overall early-onset CRC, respectively. Moreover, a diet low in milk (responsible for 16.5% [95% UI: 11.1 to 21.9%] of DALYs in 2019), low in whole grains (15.2% [95% UI: 5.9 to 19.9%]), low in calcium (14.3% [95% UI: 10.7 to 18.9%]), high in red meat (5.3% [95% UI: 1.7 to 9.5%]), high in processed meat (2.5% [95% UI: 0.9 to 4.0%]), and low in fiber (2.3% [95% UI: 0.9 to 4.2%]) were early-onset CRC attributable dietary risk factors. The age-specific DALYs rate of early-onset CRC attributable to each dietary risk factor generally showed an increasing trend globally between 1990 and 2019, except for low intake of fiber (EAPC = -0.57, 95% CI: -0.76 to -0.38). In addition, from 1990 to 2019, males have a higher burden than females and this gap may continue to widen due to the increasing difference between the sexes in most dietary risk factors. Furthermore, dietary risks-attributable early-onset CRC burden has shifted from regions with high socio-demographic index (SDI) to high-middle and middle SDI quintiles with uncontrolled dietary risks.

Conclusion

Early-onset CRC remains a concerning issue globally, and effective prevention and modification of dietary risk factors holds great promise to reduce early-onset CRC-related burden. Prioritizing diet improvement for males is critical and urgent for CRC control efforts, particularly for those living in developing countries with ongoing dietary pattern transition.

Metabolic Alteration Bridging the Prediabetic State and Colorectal Cancer

Prediabetes and colorectal cancer (CRC) represent compelling health burdens responsible for high mortality and morbidity rates, sharing several modifiable risk factors. It has been hypothesized that metabolic abnormalities linking prediabetes and CRC are hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and adipokines imbalance. The chronic stimulation related to these metabolic signatures can favor CRC onset and development, as well as negatively influence CRC prognosis. To date, the growing burden of prediabetes and CRC has generated a global interest in defining their epidemiological and molecular relationships. Therefore, a deeper knowledge of the metabolic impairment determinants is compelling to identify the pathological mechanisms promoting the onset of prediabetes and CRC. In this scenario, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview on the metabolic alterations of prediabetes and CRC as well as an overview of recent preventive and therapeutic approaches for both diseases, focusing on the role of the metabolic state as a pivotal contributor to consider for the development of future preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Screening for Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death. Screening has been proven to reduce both cancer incidence and cancer-related mortality. Various screening tests are available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages and varying levels of evidence to support their use. Clinicians should offer CRC screening to average-risk persons aged 50 to 75 years; starting screening at age 45 years remains controversial. Screening may be beneficial in select persons aged 76 to 85 years, based on their overall health and screening history. Offering a choice of screening tests or sequentially offering an alternate test for those who do not complete screening can significantly increase participation.

Whole-transcriptome defines novel glucose metabolic subtypes in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most prevalent malignancy of the digestive system. Glucose metabolism plays a crucial role in CRC development. However, the heterogeneity of glucose metabolic patterns in CRC is not well characterized. Here, we classified CRC into specific glucose metabolic subtypes and identified the key regulators. 2228 carbohydrate metabolism-related genes were screened out from the GeneCards database, 202 of them were identified as prognosis genes in the TCGA database. Based on the expression patterns of the 202 genes, three metabolic subtypes were obtained by the non-negative matrix factorization clustering method. The C1 subtype had the worst survival outcome and was characterized with higher immune cell infiltration and more activation in extracellular matrix pathways than the other two subtypes. The C2 subtype was the most prevalent in CRC and was characterized by low immune cell infiltration. The C3 subtype had the smallest number of individuals and had a better prognosis, with higher levels of NRF2 and TP53 pathway expression. Secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (SFRP2) and thrombospondin-2 (THBS2) were confirmed as biomarkers for the C1 subtype. Their expression levels were elevated in high glucose condition, while their knockdown inhibited migration and invasion of HCT 116 cells. The analysis of therapeutic potential found that the C1 subtype was more sensitive to immune and PI3K-Akt pathway inhibitors than the other subtypes. To sum up, this study revealed a novel glucose-related CRC subtype, characterized by SFRP2 and THBS2, with poor prognosis but possible therapeutic benefits from immune and targeted therapies.

Coriandrum sativum and Aloysia triphylla can Protect the Development of Cancer: An in Vivo Study using Mouse Painting Assay

AIM

The aim of this study is to examine the protective properties of Coriandrum sativum and Aloysia triphylla against the development of skin cancer.

METHODS

The skin cancer balb/c mouse model was utilized in the study. Plant extracts were administered to animals using oral gavage. In addition, skin cancer was induced using 7,12-dimethylbenz( a) anthracene (DMBA).

RESULTS

The study found that A. triphylla extract reduced both tumor incidence (P<0.01) and papilloma frequency (P<0.001) and delayed the onset of tumor development (P<0.001). The A. triphylla extract did not affect tumor size in animals. C. sativum leaf extract reduced the number of tumors per animal, the incidence of tumors, and the frequency of papilloma (P<0.05). In addition, it delayed (P<0.01) the onset of tumors. Treatment of animals with C. sativum seed extract reduced the frequency of papilloma (P<0.05) and delayed the onset of tumors (P<0.05). However, the examined plant extracts did not impact the size of tumors induced by DMBA (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study revealed that C. sativum and A. triphylla could protect against cancer development as indicated using the animal model of skin painting assay.

Circulating white blood cell traits and colorectal cancer risk: A Mendelian randomisation study

Observational studies have suggested a protective role for eosinophils in colorectal cancer (CRC) development and implicated neutrophils, but the causal relationships remain unclear. Here, we aimed to estimate the causal effect of circulating white blood cell (WBC) counts (N = ~550 000) for basophils, eosinophils, monocytes, lymphocytes and neutrophils on CRC risk (N = 52 775 cases and 45 940 controls) using Mendelian randomisation (MR). For comparison, we also examined this relationship using individual-level data from UK Biobank (4043 incident CRC cases and 332 773 controls) in a longitudinal cohort analysis. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) MR analysis suggested a protective effect of increased basophil count and eosinophil count on CRC risk [OR per 1-SD increase: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.78-0.99, P = .04; OR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.88-0.98, P = .01]. The protective effect of eosinophils remained [OR per 1-SD increase: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.80-0.97, P = .01] following adjustments for all other WBC subtypes, to account for genetic correlation between the traits, using multivariable MR. A protective effect of increased lymphocyte count on CRC risk was also found [OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.76-0.93, P = 6.70e-4] following adjustment. Consistent with MR results, a protective effect for eosinophils in the cohort analysis in the fully adjusted model [RR per 1-SD increase: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-0.99, P = .02] and following adjustment for the other WBC subtypes [RR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-0.99, P = .001] was observed. Our study implicates peripheral blood immune cells, in particular eosinophils and lymphocytes, in CRC development, highlighting a need for mechanistic studies to interrogate these relationships.

Colorectal cancer patients' outcome in correlation with dietary and nutritional status: a systematic review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and it involves various biomolecular and cellular levels. CRC has possibly happened due to aging, urbanization, and diet. Different foods have varying effects on the gastrointestinal cells, that's why additional research is necessary to create effective medical interventions. This review aimed to evaluate the correlation between dietary and nutritional status on the outcome of CRC patients. Study results showed that a healthy diet such as fruit and vegetables is the best diet for improving colorectal cancer outcomes. Moreover, nutritional status affected CRC patients' outcomes, where high BMI increases the risk of having CRC. However, low BMI was associated with CRC progression and poor quality of life.

Combined effects of vitamin D and neferine on the progression and metastasis of colorectal cancer

PURPOSE

To investigate the synergistic effect of vitamin D and neferine on the growth and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

The synergistic effect of biologically active form of vitamin D, VD3 and neferine on the treatment of CRC was investigated by bliss analysis. Colony formation and wound healing ability, migration and invasion ability, and epithelial mesenchymal transition of HCT-116 cells, as a response to the combination treatment with VD3 and neferine were evaluated.

RESULTS

VD3 and neferine showed a synergistic effect on CRC cell growth at a relatively low dose. The wound healing and colony formation capacity, cell migration and invasion abilities were all decreased by combination use of VD3 and neferine, compared to the VD3 or neferine treated single group. Furthermore, VD3 and neferine significantly decreased the expressions of N-cadherin, vimentin, snail, and slug in HCT-116 cells.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that neferine enhances the anticancer capability of VD3 and reduces the dose dependency of VD3. The combination of vitamin D with neferine appears to be a potential therapeutic strategy for CRC.

THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN COLORECTAL CANCER AND INDEX OF NUTRITIONAL QUALITY (INQ); A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

•Is the Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ) associated with colon cancer? •This study compared the INQ of various dietary components between colorectal cancer patients and healthy controls. A total of 480 participants were enrolled in the study (160 patients with colorectal cancer as a case group and 320 healthy control). The results showed that CRC is significantly associated with INQ for some micronutrients. INQ can be considered as an indicator to assess clinical nutritional problems. Background - The nutritional quality of diet may influence the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study compared the Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ) of various dietary components between colorectal cancer patients and healthy controls. Methods - A total of 480 participants were enrolled in the study (160 patients with colorectal cancer as a case group and 320 healthy control). An analysis was conducted on the general characteristics of the participants, their medical histories, anthropometric indicators, physical activity, alcohol consumption, reproductive history, smoking and food intake. A valid food frequency questionnaire was used to assess nutrient intake and INQ was calculated from daily nutrient intake. Results - A Significant inverse association was found between CRC and INQ for vitamins A (OR=0.01, CI: 0.01-0.01), K (OR=0.04, CI: 0.01-0.15), and B12 (OR=0.71, CI: 0.51-0.98), B5 (OR=0.43, CI: 0.00-0.01), zinc (OR=0.35, CI: 0.13-0.95), and phosphorus (OR=0.17, 0.19-0.94). The association between the INQ of vitamin B12 and zinc with colorectal cancer was disappeared after age adjustment. There was a significant negative association between CRC with the INQ of vitamins A, K, B5, phosphorus, and calcium after further adjustments for gender, BMI, menopausal status, and total energy intake. Conclusion -CRC is significantly associated with INQ for some micronutrients. INQ can be considered as an indicator to assess clinical nutritional problems.

Nutritional impact of excluding red meat from the Canadian diet

The objective of the study was to examine differences in nutrient intake between consumers and non-consumers of red meat and to assess nutritional adequacy of consumers relative to Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) in Canada. Matching estimators were used to identify differences in nutrient intake between the two groups. Statistically significant differences were observed in nutrient intake between red meat consumers and non-consumers, including lower daily intake of protein, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin D, and zinc and a higher daily intake of dietary fiber, folate, and magnesium among Canadians who did not consume red meat. Further, red meat consumers and non-consumers had nutrient intakes below RDA for dietary energy, fiber, and calcium. While individuals who did not consume red meat were at increased risk of calcium, vitamin D, energy, and potassium inadequacy, those who consumed red meat were at increased risk of dietary fiber, vitamin A, and magnesium inadequacy.

Plasma, urine, and stool metabolites in response to dietary rice bran and navy bean supplementation in adults at high-risk for colorectal cancer

Introduction

Dietary intake of whole grains and legumes and adequate physical activity (PA) have been associated with reduced colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. A single-blinded, two-arm, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial was implemented to evaluate the impact of a 12-week dietary intervention of rice bran + navy bean supplementation and PA education on metabolite profiles and the gut microbiome among individuals at high risk of CRC.

Methods

Adults (n=20) were randomized 1:1 to dietary intervention or control. All participants received PA education at baseline. Sixteen study foods were prepared with either heat-stabilized rice bran + navy bean powder or Fibersol®-2 as a placebo. Intervention participants consumed 30 g rice bran + 30 g navy bean powder daily; those in the control group consumed 10 g placebo daily. Non-targeted metabolite profiling was performed by UPLC-MS/MS to evaluate plasma, urine, and stool at 0, 6, and 12 weeks. Stool was also analyzed for primary and secondary bile acids (BAs) and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by UPLC-MS/MS and microbial community structure via 16S amplicon sequencing. Two-way ANOVA was used to compare differences between groups for metabolites, and mixed models were used to compare differences between groups for BAs, SCFAs, and alpha and beta diversity measures of microbial community structure.

Results

Across biological matrices, the intervention resulted in changes to several amino acid and lipid metabolites, compared to control. There was a 2.33-fold difference in plasma (p<0.001) and a 3.33-fold difference in urine (p=0.008) for the amino acid S-methylcysteine at 12 weeks. Fold-differences to 4-methoxyphenol sulfate in plasma and urine after 6 and 12 weeks (p<0.001) was a novel result from this combined rice bran and navy bean intervention in people. A 2.98-fold difference in plasma (p=0.002) and a 17.74-fold difference in stool (p=0.026) was observed for the lipid octadecenedioylcarnitine at 12 weeks. For stool BAs, 3-oxocholic acid was increased at 12 weeks compared to control within a subset of individuals (mean difference 16.2 ug/uL, p=0.022). No significant differences were observed between groups for stool SCFAs or microbial community structure.

Discussion

Dietary intake of rice bran + navy beans demonstrates beneficial modulation of host and gut microbial metabolism and represents a practical and affordable means of increasing adherence to national guidelines for CRC control and prevention in a high-risk population.

Oral Administration of Branched-Chain Amino Acids Attenuates Atherosclerosis by Inhibiting the Inflammatory Response and Regulating the Gut Microbiota in ApoE-Deficient Mice

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that serves as a common pathogenic underpinning for various cardiovascular diseases. Although high circulating branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) levels may represent a risk factor for AS, it is unclear whether dietary BCAA supplementation causes elevated levels of circulating BCAAs and hence influences AS, and the related mechanisms are not well understood. Here, ApoE-deficient mice (ApoE-/-) were fed a diet supplemented with or without BCAAs to investigate the effects of BCAAs on AS and determine potential related mechanisms. In this study, compared with the high-fat diet (HFD), high-fat diet supplemented with BCAAs (HFB) reduced the atherosclerotic lesion area and caused a significant decrease in serum cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. BCAA supplementation suppressed the systemic inflammatory response by reducing macrophage infiltration; lowering serum levels of inflammatory factors, including monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6); and suppressing inflammatory related signaling pathways. Furthermore, BCAA supplementation altered the gut bacterial beta diversity and composition, especially reducing harmful bacteria and increasing probiotic bacteria, along with increasing bile acid (BA) excretion. In addition, the levels of total BAs, primary BAs, 12α-hydroxylated bile acids (12α-OH BAs) and non-12α-hydroxylated bile acids (non-12α-OH BAs) in cecal and colonic contents were increased in the HFB group of mice compared with the HFD group. Overall, these data indicate that dietary BCAA supplementation can attenuate atherosclerosis induced by HFD in ApoE-/- mice through improved dyslipidemia and inflammation, mechanisms involving the intestinal microbiota, and promotion of BA excretion.

Dietary Intervention for Preventing Colorectal Cancer: A Practical Guide for Physicians

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a disease with high prevalence and mortality. Estimated preventability for CRC is approximately 50%, indicating that altering modifiable factors, including diet and body weight, can reduce CRC risk. There is strong evidence that dietary factors including whole grains, high-fiber, red and processed meat, and alcohol can affect the risk of CRC. An alternative strategy for preventing CRC is use of a chemopreventive supplement that provides higher individual exposure to nutrients than what can be obtained from the diet. These include calcium, vitamin D, folate, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and phytochemicals. Several intervention trials have shown that these dietary chemopreventives have positive protective effects on development and progression CRC. Research on chemoprevention with phytochemicals that possess anti-inflammatory and/or, anti-oxidative properties is still in the preclinical phase. Intentional weight loss by bariatric surgery has not been effective in decreasing long-term CRC risk. Physicians should perform dietary education for patients who are at high risk of cancer for changing their dietary habits and behaviour. An increased understanding of the role of individual nutrients linked to the intestinal micro-environment and stages of carcinogenesis would facilitate the development of the best nutritional formulations for preventing CRC.

A Fragile Balance: The Important Role of the Intestinal Microbiota in the Prevention and Management of Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. In recent years, researchers have focussed on the role of the intestinal microbiota in both the prevention and the treatment of colorectal cancer.

SUMMARY

The evidence in the literature supports that there is a fragile balance between different species of bacteria in the human gut. A disturbance of this balance towards increased levels of the bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum and Bacteroides fragilis is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. The mechanisms involved include the release of toxins which activate inflammation and the regulation of specific miRNAs (with an increase in the expression of oncogenic miRNAs and a decrease in the expression of tumour suppressor miRNAs), thereby increasing cell proliferation and leading to tumorigenesis. On the other hand, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have a protective effect against the development of colorectal cancer through mechanisms that involve an increase in the levels of anticarcinogenic metabolites such as butyrate and a decrease in the activity of proinflammatory pathways. Even though preliminary studies support that the use of probiotics in the prevention and management of colorectal cancer is promising, more research is needed in this field. Key Message: The association between the intestinal microbiota, diet and colorectal cancer remains an active area of research with expected future applications in the use of probiotics for the prevention and management of this significant disease.

Bioactive Compounds and Their Effect on Blood Pressure-A Review

Elevated blood pressure affects a great part of the elderly population and is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease. New approaches have been taken in the fight against this growing problem, in the form of diets (Mediterranean, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and intermittent fasting). Recent research has shown the promising results regarding diets and their effect on the prevention and improvement of elevated blood pressure. This review attempts to take this a step further, reviewing 26 studies in the search for dietary elements that may be causing this improvement. Although good evidence was found in favor of lycopene, Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), fiber and anthocyanin, further evidence is needed before any conclusions can be made. In contrast, the evidence shows that licorice increases blood pressure.