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. 2019 Sep;145(9):2169-2197.
doi: 10.1007/s00432-019-02997-x. Epub 2019 Aug 10.

Protective effect of the "food-microorganism-SCFAs" axis on colorectal cancer: from basic research to practical application

Han Shuwen  1 , Da Miao  2 , Qi Quan  1 , Wu Wei  3 , Zhang Zhongshan  4 , Zhang Chun  5 , Yang Xi  6
Affiliations

Protective effect of the "food-microorganism-SCFAs" axis on colorectal cancer: from basic research to practical application

Han Shuwen et al. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2019 Sep.

Abstract

Background: Recent studies have shown that the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by the gut microbiota play a positive role in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Aims: This study aims to elucidate the "food-microorganism-SCFAs" axis and to provide guidance for prevention and intervention in CRC.

Methods: The PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched from their inceptions to August 2018, and 75 articles and 25 conference abstracts were included and analysed after identification and screening.

Results: The concentrations of SCFAs in CRC patients and individuals with a high risk of CRC were higher than those in healthy individuals. The protective mechanism of SCFAs against CRC has been described in three aspects: epigenetics, immunology and molecular signalling pathways. Many food and plant extracts that were fermented by microorganisms produced SCFAs that play positive roles with preventive and therapeutic effects on CRC. The "food-microorganism-SCFAs" axis was constructed by summarizing the pertinent literature.

Conclusions: This study provides insight into the basic research and practical application of SCFAs by assessing the protective effect of SCFAs on CRC.

Keywords: Butyrate; Colorectal cancer; Diet; Histone deacetylase; Microorganism; Short-chain fatty acids.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Literature search strategy. The PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched for pertinent literature published on August 11, 2018. All relevant abstracts were retrieved independently by two authors, and the articles with available information for the present systematic review were fully reviewed. A total of 78 articles and 25 conference abstracts were included and analysed after identification and screening
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Mechanism study assessing the SCFAs in CRC. A mechanistic study of the SCFAs in CRC was divided into three categories, epigenetics, immunology and molecular signalling pathways, through summary and analysis. a–c Are shown from the perspectives of epigenetics, immunology and molecular signalling pathways, respectively. The specific research results and research ideas were shown using the form of a route diagram. Due to differences in the understanding of the original articles and the need for visualization with a figure, some route diagrams may be not completely consistent with the original intention of the author. The original articles listed in the figure are taken as the standard. Relevant references are included in Supplement 1
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Interaction between microorganisms and SCFAs in CRC. Microorganisms that changed the levels of SCFAs, including acetate, propionate and butyrate, are shown in a circular pattern with further refining by the related content in the literature. Relevant references are included in Supplement 2
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Food-microorganisms-SCFAs axis in CRC. Pertinent literature have been further analysed to elucidate the food-microorganisms-SCFAs axis. The framework of the food-microorganisms-SCFAs axis in CRC has been preliminarily established. Relevant references are included in Supplement 3
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