Recent studies have indicated that the gut microbiota may be an important factor in the influence of diet on colorectal cancer CRC risk, and in particular the ability of gut microbes to modify components of bile, called bile acids.
Bile acids are naturally produced by our bodies to help us digest the fat contained within the food we eat, and a diet rich in fat results in an increased level of bile acid in the intestine. Bile acids are readily converted to different forms by the gut microbiota, and some of these altered bile acids may be carcinogenic and affect the expression of genes thought to be important in the development of (CRC).
The Medical Research Council (MRC) has funded Dr Brian Jones and his team to investigate.
Diet, and in particular a high intake of animal fat and red meat, has been identified as a major risk factor for CRC, but it is not yet clear how these dietary factors lead to the development of CRC. It is important for us to understand the causes of diseases like CRC, in order to develop effective treatments or identify ways in which the disease could be prevented altogether.
By comparing the gut bacteria of individuals with CRC and those who are healthy, we will be able to identify any association between activities of these microbes and risk of disease. Subsequently we will be able to look at the effect of these bacteria on specific human genes known to be associated with CRC, which will allow us to identify the how gut bacteria may trigger development of CRC.
