Exacerbation of colon carcinogenesis by Blastocystis sp

PLoS One. 2017 Aug 31;12(8):e0183097. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183097. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide and the number is increasing every year. Despite advances in screening programs, CRC remains as the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the molecular mechanisms of colorectal cancer (CRC) and has been shown to be associated with Blastocystis sp., a common intestinal microorganism. In the present study, we aimed to identify a role for Blastocystis sp. in exacerbating carcinogenesis using in vivo rat model. Methylene blue staining was used to identify colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and adenomas formation in infected rats whilst elevation of oxidative stress biomarker levels in the urine and serum samples were evaluated using biochemical assays. Histological changes of the intestinal mucosa were observed and a significant number of ACF was found in Blastocystis sp. infected AOM-rats compared to the AOM-controls. High levels of urinary oxidative indices including advanced oxidative protein products (AOPP) and hydrogen peroxide were observed in Blastocystis sp. infected AOM-rats compared to the uninfected AOM-rats. Our study provides evidence that Blastocystis sp. has a significant role in enhancing AOM-induced carcinogenesis by resulting damage to the intestinal epithelium and promoting oxidative damage in Blastocystis sp. infected rats.

MeSH terms

  • Aberrant Crypt Foci / microbiology*
  • Aberrant Crypt Foci / pathology
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / urine
  • Blastocystis / pathogenicity
  • Carcinogenesis*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / blood
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / microbiology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / urine
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Precancerous Conditions / blood
  • Precancerous Conditions / microbiology*
  • Precancerous Conditions / pathology
  • Precancerous Conditions / urine
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred F344

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor

Grants and funding

Funding for this study was provided by University Malaya High Impact Research Grant UM.C/625/1/HIR/MOHE/MED/44. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.