Colon mucus in colorectal neoplasia and beyond.

Little was known about mammalian colon mucus (CM) until the beginning of the 21 century. Since that time considerable progress has been made in basic research addressing CM structure and functions. Human CM is formed by two distinct layers composed of gel-forming glycosylated mucins that are permanently secreted by goblet cells of the colonic epithelium.

The presence of polymorphisms in genes controlling neurotransmitter metabolism and disease prognosis in patients with prostate cancer: a possible link with schizophrenia.

Polymorphisms of neurotransmitter metabolism genes were studied in patients with prostate cancer (PC) characterized by either reduced or extended serum prostate-specific antigen doubling time (PSADT) corresponding to unfavorable and favorable disease prognosis respectively. The 'unfavorable prognosis' group (40 cases) was defined by PSADT ≤ 2 months, whereas patients in the 'favorable prognosis' group (67 cases) had PSADT ≥ 30 months. The following gene polymorphisms known to be associated with neuropsychiatric disorders were investigated: a) the STin2 VNTR in the serotonin transporter gene; b) the 30-bp VNTR in the monoamine oxidase A gene; c) the Val158Met polymorphism in the catechol-ortho-methyltransferase gene; d) the promoter region C-521T polymorphism and the 48 VNTR in the third exon of the dopamine receptor gene.

Biomarker measurement in non-invasively sampled colorectal mucus as a novel approach to colorectal cancer detection: screening and triage implications.

Background: Faecal tests are widely applied for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and considered for triaging symptomatic patients with suspected CRC. However, faecal tests can be inconvenient, complex and expensive. Colorectal mucus (CM) sampled using our new patient-friendly non-invasive technique is rich in CRC biomarkers.

Biomarkers for detecting colorectal cancer non-invasively: DNA, RNA or proteins?

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a global problem affecting millions of people worldwide. This disease is unique because of its slow progress that makes it preventable and often curable. CRC symptoms usually emerge only at advanced stages of the disease, consequently its early detection can be achieved only through active population screening, which markedly reduces mortality due to this cancer.

Eosinophils in the gastrointestinal tract and their role in the pathogenesis of major colorectal disorders.

Eosinophils are currently regarded as versatile mobile cells controlling and regulating multiple biological pathways and responses in health and disease. These cells store in their specific granules numerous biologically active substances (cytotoxic cationic proteins, cytokines, growth factors, chemokines, enzymes) ready for rapid release. The human gut is the main destination of eosinophils that are produced and matured in the bone marrow and then transferred to target tissues through the circulation.

Inflammatory bowel disease detection and monitoring by measuring biomarkers in non-invasively collected colorectal mucus.

Background And Aim: Non-invasive detection and monitoring of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an important clinical challenge. Stool calprotectin is the most popular among available options, but the necessity of stool collection limits its acceptability. This study aimed to evaluate biomarker measurement in non-invasively collected colorectal mucus as a new tool for IBD detection and activity monitoring.

Colorectal mucus non-invasively collected from patients with inflammatory bowel disease and its suitability for diagnostic cytology.

Colorectal mucus is a key component of the protective gut barrier which is altered in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to cytologically characterize colorectal mucus non-invasively collected from IBD patients using our new sampling technique. Colorectal mucus was self-collected by 58 IBD patients comprising 31 ulcerative colitis (UC) and 27 Crohn's disease (CD) cases.

Assessment of cytology and mucin 2 in colorectal mucus collected from patients with inflammatory bowel disease: Results of a pilot trial.

Background And Aim: Non-invasive diagnosis of colorectal disease remains problematic, fecal biomarkers presenting the only current option. Colorectal mucus is the diagnostically informative element of stool samples, but its separation from stool is difficult. We aimed to: (i) test a novel method of non-invasive colorectal mucus sampling in a pilot clinical trial; (ii) evaluate sampling method acceptance by study participants; (iii) characterize the collected material cytologically; and (iv) assess feasibility of quantitative protein analysis in the samples.

Protein biomarkers in exfoliated cells collected from the human rectal mucosa: implications for colorectal disease detection and monitoring.

Purpose: Colorectal disease biomarkers in stool are actively explored, but instability of biomolecules in faeces constitutes a problem. Collection of exfoliated cells from the surface of the rectal mucosa provides an alternative to stool-based methods. We aimed to develop an original approach allowing preservation and quantification of protein biomarkers in exfoliated material and tested it in a pilot clinical study.

Exfoliated colonocyte DNA levels and clinical features in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer: a cohort study in patients referred for investigation.

Aim: Selection of patients for investigation of suspected colorectal cancer is difficult. One possible improvement may be to measure DNA isolated from exfoliated cells collected from the rectum.

Method: This was a cohort study in a surgical clinic.

Can DNA sampling from the rectal mucosa be a novel tool for the detection of colorectal cancer?

Introduction: The objective was to evaluate a new method for DNA sampling from the rectal mucosa for the detection of colorectal cancer or any clinically significant pathology in the colon and rectum.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included patients scheduled for colonoscopy (group 1, n = 185) or colonic resection because of suspected colorectal cancer (group 2, n = 62). A test instrument with a balloon-holding end was introduced through a proctoscope into the rectum to collect exfoliated cells, from which DNA was isolated and quantified.

A case-control study of colorectal cancer detection by quantification of DNA isolated from directly collected exfoliated colonocytes.

This pilot study aimed to assess an original test based on the analysis of exfoliated colonocytes as a new approach to colorectal cancer (CRC) detection. DNA was isolated from exfoliated cells collected from the surface of the rectal mucosa by a standardized minimally invasive procedure in a case-control trial involving 66 patients with CRC diagnosis and 110 healthy volunteers (age 50-70). PicoGreen staining and quantitative real-time PCR (QRTPCR) were used for DNA quantification.

Colorectal cancer detection by measuring DNA from exfoliated colonocytes obtained by direct contact with rectal mucosa.

The purpose of the study was to explore the potential of direct exfoliated colonocyte collection from human rectal mucosa for colorectal cancer screening. A special device was designed for standardized collection of exfoliated cells from the surface of human rectal mucosa. Material was collected from 120 outpatients selected for colonoscopy and 36 patients with confirmed diagnosis of colorectal cancer or large polyps.

Cell exfoliation in the human colon: myth, reality and implications for colorectal cancer screening.

Colonocyte exfoliation in the human colon constitutes a unique mechanism of cell population control that can undergo significant changes under different physiological and pathological conditions. Being closely related to the apoptosis and anoikis, cell exfoliation from colonic epithelium appears to be a relatively rare event in normal conditions, but its rate dramatically increases in neoplasia, when cell removal by apoptosis in situ does not function properly. Several studies show that significant numbers of exfoliated colonocytes are not lost in the faecal contents of the gut, but retained in the mucocellular layer overlying colonic mucosa.

Role of NQO1C609T and EPHX1 gene polymorphisms in the association of smoking and alcohol with sporadic distal colorectal adenomas: results from the UKFSS Study.

NADP(H):quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and microsomal epoxide hydrolase (EPHX1, also mEH) are attractive candidate enzymes for association with colorectal neoplasia because they metabolize a number of compounds including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that have been linked with colorectal carcinogenesis. We examined the relationship between NQO1C609T, mEH3, mEH4 and risk of sporadic distal colorectal adenomas in one of the largest case-control studies of 946 polyp-free controls and 894 cases, all participants of the UK Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Screening (UKFSS) Trial. The polymorphisms were examined as independent risk factors and evidence for interaction with smoking and alcoholic drinks was sought.

MTHFR (C677T and A1298C) polymorphisms and risk of sporadic distal colorectal adenoma in the UK Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Screening Trial (United Kingdom).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to further evaluate the role of low activity MTHFR variants as well as to explore interactive effects between alcoholic drink consumption and MTHFR variants and risk of distal colorectal adenomatous polyps.

Methods: We examined the relationship between MTHFR C677T and A1298C gene polymorphisms and risk of distal adenomas in one of the largest case control studies of 946 polyp-free controls and 894 cases, all participants of the UK Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Screening Trial (UKFSS).

Results: Investigation of the effect of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism in this large UKFSS study revealed no overall association on adenoma risk (P>0.

Modest protective effects of isoflavones from a red clover-derived dietary supplement on cardiovascular disease risk factors in perimenopausal women, and evidence of an interaction with ApoE genotype in 49-65 year-old women.

Data suggest that soy protein, a source of isoflavones, may have favorable effects on cardiovascular risk factors. Women (n = 205), ages 49-65 y, were randomized into this double blind, placebo-controlled trial of 43.5 mg red clover-derived isoflavones/d.

Common gene polymorphisms, cancer progression and prognosis.

Neoplastic growth was often regarded as an autonomous process driven by uncontrolled expansion of malignant cell population. This view is now being transformed as it becomes apparent that basically normal regulatory and metabolic mechanisms comprising subcellular processes as well as homo- and heterotypic cell interactions are extensively used by growing tumours throughout all stages of their development. Therefore the role of normal genetic variation emerges as a major factor determining different aspects of neoplastic growth and eventually outcome of the disease.

Common gene polymorphisms and nutrition: emerging links with pathogenesis of multifactorial chronic diseases (review).

Rapid progress in human genome decoding has accelerated search for the role of gene polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of complex multifactorial diseases. This review summarizes the results of recent studies on the associations of common gene variants with multifactorial chronic conditions strongly affected by nutritional factors. Three main individual sections discuss genes related to energy homeostasis regulation and obesity, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer.

Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and colorectal cancer: gender-specific modulation of risk and prognosis.

Apolipoprotein E ( ApoE ) gene polymorphism is a major factor in lipid metabolism. It has been suggested that this polymorphism can modulate colorectal tumour risk. We tested this hypothesis for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 gene polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk and prognosis.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is a factor in urokinase-type plasminogen activator proteolytic system, which is important for tumour invasion and metastasis. Elevated PAI-1 levels in tumours are associated with poor prognosis. An insertion/deletion (4G/5G) promoter polymorphism in the PAI-1 gene affects activity of its product, the 4G/4G genotype being related to higher transcription levels.

Differences in N-acetylation genotypes between Caucasians and Black South Africans: implications for cancer prevention.

Polymorphic N-acetyltransferase genes (NAT1 and NAT2) determine rapid or slow acetylation phenotypes, which are believed to affect cancer risk related to environmental exposure. Black South Africans have a unique incidence pattern of environment-related cancers, but genetic characteristics of this population are mostly unknown. In this study, we compared NAT1 and NAT2 allele distributions in 101 Black South Africans and 112 UK Caucasians.

Isolation of exfoliated colonocytes from human stool as a new technique for colonic cytology.

Cell exfoliation in the gut is an important cell renewal mechanism. To approach its investigation we applied a novel immunomagnetic technique for isolation of exfoliated cells from human stool. Exfoliated colonocytes were isolated from 168 stool samples.