The guaiac-based fecal occult blood test in healthy dogs: Evaluation of the effects of diet, and the ability of the test to detect fecal occult blood

Evaluating the role of wound-healing genes in conjunction with stool routine and serum tumor markers for colorectal cancer diagnosis and prognostic implications

Colorectal cancer is a common malignant digestive tract tumour with high morbidity and mortality. Early detection, treatment and diagnosis are crucial for preventing and treating colorectal cancer, which develops through multi-stage accumulation and gene participation, affecting tumour marker levels. Chronic wounds can lead to the development of certain cancers, such as colorectal cancer. The prolonged inflammation and tissue repair caused by chronic wounds can trigger cellular changes, potentially promoting cancerous cell growth in the colon. The formation and progression of colorectal cancer involve changes in tumour markers, such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), sugar chain antigen 19-9 (CA199) and CA125. This study explores the clinical application value of a stool routine combined with serum tumour marker detection in diagnosing colorectal cancer. The experiment team examined the clinical information of 56 colorectal cancer patients alongside a control group of 56 healthy patients. Distinct stool characteristics and heightened occult blood rates were evident in colorectal cancer cases. The combined approach integrating stool routine and serum tumour markers improved diagnostic accuracy, displaying enhanced sensitivity and specificity compared with individual markers or stool routines alone. Bioinformatics analysis indicated increased CEA and CA125 levels in colorectal cancer tissues versus normal tissues, hinting at potential prognostic implications. Exploring wound-healing genes like Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA), Tumour Protein 53 (TP53) and Transforming Growth Factor Alpha (TGFA) revealed heightened expression in colorectal cancer, suggesting their potential role in disease progression. These markers showed associations with various immune cell types, suggesting their impact within the tumour microenvironment (p < 0.05). Single-cell RNA sequencing data highlighted varying CEA expressions across different cell populations in colorectal cancer. The findings indicated that integrating clinical assessments with accurate biomarkers may provide valuable insights into prognostic implications.

Double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial of prophylactic omeprazole in dogs treated surgically for acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion

BACKGROUND

Proton pump inhibitors are administered prophylactically in dogs treated surgically for acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion (TL-IVDE). However, their efficacy in decreasing gastrointestinal (GI) complications is unknown.

HYPOTHESIS

Omeprazole does not decrease the frequency of GI complications compared to placebo in dogs treated surgically for acute TL-IVDE.

ANIMALS

Thirty-seven client-owned dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy for acute TL-IVDE.

METHODS

Randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled prospective clinical trial. Dogs received PO placebo or omeprazole at 1 mg/kg q12h for 5 days during hospitalization. Development of GI signs (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, regurgitation, hematochezia, melena) was recorded daily. Clinicopathologic testing performed during hospitalization and at 2 and 4-week re-evaluations included: fecal occult blood, PCV, blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio, fecal calprotectin, canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity and fecal alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor concentrations. Omeprazole and placebo groups were compared using chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests.

RESULTS

Gastrointestinal signs developed in 10/20 (50%) dogs in the omeprazole group and in 7/17 (41%) dogs in the placebo group (P = .59). Diarrhea was common (8/20 omeprazole, 5/17 placebo), hematochezia was rare (1/20 omeprazole, 1/17 placebo); melena was not observed. Clinicopathologic evidence suggestive of bleeding was present in 9/20 dogs treated with omeprazole and in 11/17 dogs that received placebo (P = .23). Fecal occult blood positivity was more common in dogs with GI signs (P = .03). Canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity was higher during hospitalization compared to re-evaluations (P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Short-term, prophylactic omeprazole treatment did not decrease clinically detectable GI complications in dogs with acute TL-IVDE.