Modulation of intestinal metabolites by calorie restriction and its association with gut microbiota in a xenograft model of colorectal cancer

Different molecular responses of Mytilus mantle to lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan challenges

Mytilus live in water as sessile filter feeders, and the mantle tissue plays an important role in their immune defense. However, the overall knowledge of the immunity of this tissue remains limited. Peptidoglycan (PGN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are the most representative microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) that play roles in the immune stimulation of host cells. In the present study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS)-based metabolomic analysis was performed to understand the precise regulatory mechanism at the molecular level in the Mytilus mantle in response to PGN and LPS stress. Moreover, the antioxidant ability and free amino acid composition of the mantle, and the antimicrobial activities of mantle mucus were evaluated. Our results revealed that LPS and PGN stresses had different effects on the mantle's free amino acid composition and antioxidant ability, and the mantle mucus' antimicrobial activity. Both PGN and LPS stress-induced alterations in amino acids, phospholipids, fatty acids, nucleotides, and their derivatives in the mantle. PGN injection activated the amino acid-related metabolism, and inhibited the lipid-related metabolisms in the mantle, while LPS injection activated the amino acid-related metabolisms and inhibited the arachidonic acid metabolism in the mantle compared to that in the control group. In addition, activation of the mTOR and FoxO signaling pathways and inhibition of lipid-related metabolism were observed in PGN vs. LPS. In addition, PGN injection induced the upregulation of fosfomycin and deoxynojirimycin in the mantle compared to LPS injection. Our study highlights the different responses at the metabolomic level of the mussel mantle to different MAMPs and the potential application of metabolites that specifically respond to PGN and LPS challenges in mussels as biomarkers.

Modulating Gut Microbiota with Dietary Components: A Novel Strategy for Cancer-Depression Comorbidity Management

BACKGROUND

Gut microbiota play a critical role in mediating the bidirectional association between cancer and depression. Emerging evidence indicates that adjusting the dietary component intake can significantly alter gut microbiota composition, thereby influencing the host's metabolism and immune function. Changes in gut microbiota and their metabolites may represent key factors in preventing cancer-depression comorbidity.

METHODS

English publications were searched in databases including the Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed using a series of keywords: "cancer", "depression", "gut microbiota", "dietary components", and related terms, individually or in combination. The search focused on preclinical and clinical studies describing the regulatory effects of dietary component interventions.

RESULTS

This narrative review summarizes the associations among gut microbiota, cancer, and depression, and synthesizes current evidence on the modulatory effects and mechanisms of specific dietary component interventions, including dietary patterns, probiotics, prebiotics, and diet-derived phytochemicals, on gut microbiota. On the one hand, these interventions inhibit abnormal proliferation signals in the tumor microenvironment and enhance anticancer immune responses; on the other hand, they modulate neurotransmitter homeostasis, suppress neuroinflammation, and improve mood behaviors through the gut-brain axis interactions mediated by microbial metabolites.

CONCLUSIONS

The complex associations among cancer, depression, and gut microbiota require further clarification. Modulating gut microbiota composition through dietary components represents a novel therapeutic strategy for improving cancer-depression comorbidity. Regulated gut microbiota enhance immune homeostasis and intestinal barrier function, while their metabolites bidirectionally modulate one another via systemic circulation and the gut-brain axis, thereby improving both the tumor microenvironment and depressive-like behaviors in cancer patients while reducing the adverse effects of cancer.

Advances in Precision Medicine Approaches for Colorectal Cancer: From Molecular Profiling to Targeted Therapies

Precision medicine is transforming colorectal cancer treatment through the integration of advanced technologies and biomarkers, enhancing personalized and effective disease management. Identification of key driver mutations and molecular profiling have deepened our comprehension of the genetic alterations in colorectal cancer, facilitating targeted therapy and immunotherapy selection. Biomarkers such as microsatellite instability (MSI) and DNA mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) guide treatment decisions, opening avenues for immunotherapy. Emerging technologies such as liquid biopsies, artificial intelligence, and machine learning promise to revolutionize early detection, monitoring, and treatment selection in precision medicine. Despite these advancements, ethical and regulatory challenges, including equitable access and data privacy, emphasize the importance of responsible implementation. The dynamic nature of colorectal cancer, with its tumor heterogeneity and clonal evolution, underscores the necessity for adaptive and personalized treatment strategies. The future of precision medicine in colorectal cancer lies in its potential to enhance patient care, clinical outcomes, and our understanding of this intricate disease, marked by ongoing evolution in the field. The current reviews focus on providing in-depth knowledge on the various and diverse approaches utilized for precision medicine against colorectal cancer, at both molecular and biochemical levels.