How the Western Diet Thwarts the Epigenetic Efforts of Gut Microbes in Ulcerative Colitis and Its Association with Colorectal Cancer.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine how the Western diet affects gut microbiome function, host physiological homeostasis, and susceptibility to ulcerative colitis (UC).
Results Summary
The study found that the Western diet, with fewer short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), alters gut microbiome composition and can lead to epigenetic reprogramming and pro-inflammatory signaling pathways in UC. It also linked these changes to colorectal cancer risk.
Population
General human population, with specific implications for individuals with or at risk of ulcerative colitis.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Western diet | decrease | gut microbiome composition | - | fewer | can alter | #1 |
Western diet | increase | host's epigenetic reprogramming | - | - | can cause | #2 |
changes in diet patterns | increase | pro-inflammatory signaling pathways | UC | - | can further activate | #3 |
Western diet | neutral | microbiome's function | - | - | affects | #4 |
Western diet | neutral | host's physiological homeostasis | - | - | alters | #5 |
Western diet | neutral | susceptibility to UC | - | - | alters | #6 |
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the colon, leading to ulcer development, loss of colon function, and bloody diarrhea. The human gut ecosystem consists of almost 2000 different species of bacteria, forming a bioreactor fueled by dietary micronutrients to produce bioreactive compounds, which are absorbed by our body and signal to distant organs. Studies have shown that the Western diet, with fewer short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), can alter the gut microbiome composition and cause the host's epigenetic reprogramming. Additionally, overproduction of H2S from the gut microbiome due to changes in diet patterns can further activate pro-inflammatory signaling pathways in UC. This review discusses how the Western diet affects the microbiome's function and alters the host's physiological homeostasis and susceptibility to UC. This article also covers the epidemiology, prognosis, pathophysiology, and current treatment strategies for UC, and how they are linked to colorectal cancer.