Carcinogenic effect of low doses of polycyclic and heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and amines and lack of protection by inulin supplementation

Evidence suggests that meat processing and heat treatment may increase cancer risk through exposure to potentially carcinogenic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs). This study aims to investigate the effect of low concentrations of PAHs and HAAs (from 1 to 100 μmol/L/24h and 48h) in colorectal tumor cells (HT-29, HCT116, and LS174T) and to evaluate the effect of PAHs in the presence of inulin in mice. In vitro, the 4-PAHs have no effect on healthy colon cells but decreased the viability of the colorectal tumor cells and activated the mRNA and protein expressions of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1. In vivo, in mice with colitis induced by 3% DSS, the 4-PAHs (equimolar mix at 50,100, 150 mg/kg.bw, orally 3 times a week for 3 weeks) induced a loss of body weight and tumor formation. Inulin (10 g/L) had no effect on colon length and tumor formation. A significant decrease in the loss of b.w was observed in inulin group as compared to the fiber free group. These results underscore the importance of considering the biological association between low-dose exposure to 4-HAPs and diet-related colon tumors.

Role of Cryptosporidium spp in Development of Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies in humans. About 20% of the cancer incidence was attributed to infectious agents highlighting the association between infectious agents and the development of cancers. It has been suspected that Cryptosporidium spp. infection may be correlated with colon adenocarcinoma.  Aim: investigate the percentage of cryptosporidiosis among colorectal cancer patients.

SUBJECTS

100 patients were recruited from Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University.

METHODS

Fresh stool specimens were collected, homogenized and examined using direct wet mount and by permanent staining of faecal smears using Modified ZN staining. Molecular detection by PCR amplification of Cryptosporidium COWP gene.

RESULTS

Significantly higher proportion of colorectal cancer patients (32.5%, 42.5%) tested positive by MZN and ELISA respectively compared to only 3.3% and 5% of positive MZN and ELISA among control group. Also, positive PCR was detected among higher proportion of colorectal cancer patients (47.5%) and only 5% of control group. Odds of colorectal cancer is 19 times among positive cases of Cryptosporidium by PCR than those without proven infection by PCR (OR 19.12; 95% CI 4.82-75.99). Comparison of the assessment of Cryptosporidium infection made by two techniques produces a kappa value of 0.770, and .759 respectively between NZN, ELISA and PCR as a gold standard, suggesting a good agreement between the two techniques and PCR. This value of kappa is significantly different from zero, K.770, p<0.001 for MZN and K.759, p<.001 for ELISA. Specificity of MZN (100%) is higher than that of ELISA (96.2%) and both reported higher specificity than sensitivity denoting that both tests are good positive to rule in the presence of infection at 40% prevalence.

CONCLUSION

Cryptosporidium infection is significantly higher among cancer colon patients reinforcing that it might be considered as a likely risk factor for the development cancer colon.

Arterial vascularization of the right colon with implications for surgery

PURPOSE

During right-sided colectomies, surgeons encounter major anatomical variations at the level of the right colon, leading to morbidity. Due to the confusion surrounding the colonic arterial vessels emerging from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) to vascularize the right part of the colon, this review aimed to describe the arterial vessels found in the mesocolic structures of the ascending colon, the hepatic flexure and the right transverse colon.

METHODS

A review of the literature was performed using the MEDLINE database. Only human studies were included. All dissection, angiographic, arterial cast and corrosion studies were analyzed.

RESULTS

This review demonstrates that the right colon, the hepatic flexure and the right transverse colon are vascularized by three significant arteries emerging from the SMA and forming one peripheral paracolic arc: (1) the ileocolic artery (ICA), the most constant vessel (99.8%) with low variability; (2) the right colic artery (RCA), the most inconstant vessel (2/3 of cases) with high variability in its origin; and (3) the middle colic artery (MCA), a constant vessel (95%) with variation in its origin and its number. The marginal artery is almost constant (100%) and represents the only peripheral arterial arc at the level of the right side of the colon.

CONCLUSIONS

Three arteries emerging from the superior mesenteric artery exist: the ICA, the RCA and the MCA. The ICA and the MCA are the most constant. Knowledge of this vascular anatomy is essential for performing right-sided colectomies.

Evaluation of iron deficiency anaemia for gastrointestinal causes in patients without GI symptoms in high prevalent GI malignancy zones

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Gastric cancer is highly prevalent in Kashmir, as are lower gastrointestinal (LGI) malignancies. Colonic cancer, gastric cancer, and coeliac disease are the most important gastrointestinal (GI) causes of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) worldwide. Approximately 9% of patients with IDA present with a suspicious lesion in the GI tract upon examination. However, the absence of GI symptoms and a possible lesion accounting for blood loss in IDA have not been studied in this zone with a high prevalence of GI malignancy. We aimed to examine IDA patients without GI symptoms to determine the most plausible cause of their blood loss.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 100 patients with IDA and 250 control subjects without IDA and referred for gastrointestinal endoscopy were enrolled in a cross-sectional, comparative study. Patients presenting with a significant lesion proportionate to their anaemia in the upper GI tract were not examined further, if no further strong indications were present.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine patients (29%) were found to have malignancy: 13 with gastric cancer and 16 with colonic malignancies. Other apparent causes of GI blood loss included peptic ulcer disease in 10 (10%) patients, haemorrhoids in 22 (25%), polyps in eight (three in the upper GI tract and five in the LGI tract), gastric erosions in eight (8%), and angiodysplasia, diverticulitis, and trichuriasis in two (2%) each.

CONCLUSION

In light of the high incidence of GI malignancies in this patient group, a low threshold for GI screening as well as mass screening for IDA is needed.