Alterations Of Gut Microbiome And Fecal Metabolome In Colorectal Cancer

Objective:The gut microbiota and its metabolites are important for host physiological homeostasis,while dysbiosis is related to diseases including the development of cancers such as colorectal cancer(CRC).However,there are few studies on the relationship between gut microbiota and its metabolites in the progression of colorectal cancer in recent years.The purpose of this study was to explore the changes in intestinal microbiome and fecal metabolome in patients with CRC and people with normal colorectal mucosa(NC)and to provide potential strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of CRC.Methods:The richness and composition of the microbiota in fecal samples of 30 CRC patients and 36 NC controls were analyzed through 16S rDNA sequencing,and the metabolome was determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS).Spearman correlation analysis was to determine the correlation between the gut microbiome and fecal metabolome in CRC patients.Results:(1)The α-diversity and β-diversity of gut microbiota were significantly different between the CRC group and the NC group,suggesting that the microbiota is altered in patients with CRC.(2)In terms of phylum,species,and genus,there were significant differences in gut microbiota bacterial composition between the two groups,but no significant differences were found indifferent differentiations and TNM stages.(3)A total of 139 metabolites were identified by UPLC-MS/MS,of which 29 metabolites that were changed by CRC.(4)The spearman correlation coefficients between metabolic biomarkers and microbial communities that indicated a strong correlation between gut microbiota disturbances and metabolic alterations in CRC patients.Conclusion:These results highlight alterations of gut microbiota in association with certain metabolites in CRC progression,implying potential diagnostic and interventive potential for CRC.