High C-reactive protein level is associated with high-risk adenoma

Functional Plasmon-Activated Water Increases Akkermansia muciniphila Abundance in Gut Microbiota to Ameliorate Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with dysbiosis and intestinal barrier dysfunction, as indicated by epithelial hyperpermeability and high levels of mucosal-associated bacteria. Changes in gut microbiota may be correlated with IBD pathogenesis. Additionally, microbe-based treatments could mitigate clinical IBD symptoms. Plasmon-activated water (PAW) is known to have an anti-inflammatory potential. In this work, we studied the association between the anti-inflammatory ability of PAW and intestinal microbes, thereby improving IBD treatment. We examined the PAW-induced changes in the colonic immune activity and microbiota of mice by immunohistochemistry and next generation sequencing, determined whether drinking PAW can mitigate IBD induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) and dysbiosis through mice animal models. The effects of specific probiotic species on mice with TNBS-induced IBD were also investigated. Experimental results indicated that PAW could change the local inflammation in the intestinal microenvironment. Moreover, the abundance of Akkermansia spp. was degraded in the TNBS-treated mice but elevated in the PAW-drinking mice. Daily rectal injection of Akkermansia muciniphila, a potential probiotic species in Akkermansia spp., also improved the health of the mice. Correspondingly, both PAW consumption and increasing the intestinal abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila can mitigate IBD in mice. These findings indicate that increasing the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila in the gut through PAW consumption or other methods may mitigate IBD in mice with clinically significant IBD.

Short-term and residential exposure to air pollution: Associations with inflammatory biomarker levels in adults living in northern France

INTRODUCTION

Air pollution has an impact on health, and low-grade inflammation might be one of the underlying mechanisms. The objective of the present study of adults from northern France was to assess the associations between short-term and residential exposure to air pollution and levels of various inflammatory biomarkers.

METHODS

The cross-sectional Enquête Littoral Souffle Air Biologie Environnement (ELISABET) study was conducted from 2011 to 2013 in the Lille and Dunkirk urban areas of northern France. Here, we evaluated the associations between PM₁₀, NO₂ and O₃ exposure (on the day of the blood sample collection and on the day before, and the mean annual residential level) and levels of the inflammatory biomarkers high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-22, and tumor necrosis factor α.

RESULTS

We assessed 3074 participants for the association with hsCRP and a subsample of 982 non-smokers from Lille for the association with plasma cytokine levels. A 10 μg/m³ increment in PM₁₀ and NO₂ levels on the day of sample collection and on the day before was associated with a higher hsCRP concentration (3.43% [0.68; 6.25] and 1.75% [-1.96; 5.61], respectively, whereas a 10 μg/m³ increment in O₃ was associated with lower hsCRP concentration (-1.2% [-3.95; 1.64]). The associations between mean annual exposure and the hsCRP level were not significant. Likewise, the associations between exposure and plasma cytokine levels were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Short-term exposure to air pollution was associated with higher serum hsCRP levels in adult residents of two urban areas in northern France. Our results suggest that along with other factors, low-grade inflammation might explain the harmful effects of air pollution on health.

Self-reported Metabolic Risk Factor Associations with Adenomatous, Sessile Serrated, and Synchronous Adenomatous and Sessile Serrated Polyps

Studies have found a positive association between metabolic risk factors, such as obesity and diabetes, and adenomatous polyps (AP). However, fewer studies have assessed the association between sessile serrated polyps (SSP) or synchronous diagnosis of APs and SSPs (synch polyps). Study participants (N = 1,370; ages 40-85) undergoing screening colonoscopy were enrolled between August 2016 and February 2020. Self-reported metabolic risk factors, including diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and overweight/obesity, were evaluated for associations with new diagnoses of APs, SSPs, and synch polyps at the present colonoscopy. Average participant age was 60.73 ± 8.63 (SD) years; 56.7% were female and 90.9% white. In an assessment of individual metabolic risk factors, adjusted for age, sex, race, and smoking status, increased body mass index (BMI; overweight or obese vs. normal BMI of <25 kg/m2) was associated with an increased odds for new onset of colon APs (P trend < 0.001) as was a diagnosis of diabetes [adjusted conditional OR (aCOR) = 1.59 (1.10-2.29)]. No associations were seen between the metabolic risk factors and onset of SSPs. Being obese or hypertensive each increased the odds of new onset of synch polyps with aCOR values of 2.09 (1.01-4.32) and 1.79 (1.06-3.02), respectively. Self-reported risk factors may help assess polyp type risk. Because SSPs and synch polyps are rare, larger studies are needed to improve our understanding of the contribution of these factors to polyp risk. These data lead us to hypothesize that differences in observed metabolic risk factors between polyp types reflect select metabolic impact on pathways to colorectal cancer. PREVENTION RELEVANCE: Self-reported medical history provides valuable insight into polyp risk, potentially enabling the use of larger retrospective studies of colonoscopy populations to assess knowledge gaps. More aggressive colonoscopy screening, critical to colorectal cancer prevention, may be considered in populations of individuals with metabolic risk factors and modifiable lifestyle risk factors.

Increased Th17-Related Cytokine Serum Levels in Patients With Multiple Polyps of Unexplained Origin

Most patients with multiple colonic polyps do not have a known genetic or hereditary origin. Our aim was to analyze the presence of inflammatory cytokines and levels of glucose, insulin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with multiple colonic polyps.

Single-incision laparoscopic colectomy for ascending colon tumor with relapsing polychondritis

A 69-year-old man underwent single-incision laparoscopic colectomy for a colon tumor. He had comorbid relapsing polychondritis, an uncommon and intractable chronic inflammatory disease that shows various symptoms and systemically invades the cartilaginous tissue throughout the body. In this case, the bronchial wall was edematous and the glottis was incompetent. Steroids were also administered. Although the patient had high-risk factors for surgical complications, none occurred during the perioperative period. Once the C-reactive protein value returned to within the normal range after surgery, we reduced the steroid dose. This is the first report of single-incision laparoscopic colectomy for a patient with relapsing polychondritis.

Systemic and local inflammation in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world. The cornerstone of CRC treatment is surgical resection. However, patients in the same TNM stage show different recurrence rates and survival. Of patients with a local disease without lymph node or a distant metastasis, 20-25% still develop recurrence. There is evidence that inflammatory reaction is one of the key elements in tumour development.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed literature on colorectal cancer and its relationships with the immune system, with special focus on local and systemic inflammatory reaction. The Pubmed and ClinicalKey databases were searched using the key words colorectal cancer, local inflammation, systemic inflammation, markers of inflammation. The relevant literature was reviewed and included in the article.

RESULTS

The immune system has two-sided relationships with cancer, so it not only performs anti-tumour activities, but can also promote tumour growth and spread. Research has shown that signs of local inflammation are associated with a better prognosis in CRC. Systemic inflammation has been associated with more aggressive behaviour and a worse prognosis for patients with several cancers, including CRC.

CONCLUSIONS

Recent findings in tumour biology have improved our understanding of colorectal cancer and of the natural course of this disease. Several markers of local and systemic inflammatory reaction have been identified. The next step is to find the most accurate and applicable marker, so that this promising tool can be used in clinical practice and aid in decision making.