The impact of cancer cachexia on gut microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acid metabolism in a murine model

BMB Rep. 2023 Jul;56(7):404-409. doi: 10.5483/BMBRep.2023-0068.

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between cancer cachexia and the gut microbiota, focusing on the influence of cancer on microbial composition. Lewis lung cancer cell allografts were used to induce cachexia in mice, and body and muscle weight changes were monitored. Fecal samples were collected for targeted metabolomic analysis for short chain fatty acids and microbiome analysis. The cachexia group exhibited lower alpha diversity and distinct beta diversity in gut microbiota, compared to the control group. Differential abundance analysis revealed higher Bifidobacterium and Romboutsia, but lower Streptococcus abundance in the cachexia group. Additionally, lower proportions of acetate and butyrate were observed in the cachexia group. The study observed that the impact of cancer cachexia on gut microbiota and their generated metabolites was significant, indicating a host-to-gut microbiota axis. [BMB Reports 2023; 56(7): 404-409].

Publication types

  • News

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Butyrates
  • Cachexia
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Fatty Acids, Volatile / analysis
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome* / physiology
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms* / complications

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Volatile
  • Butyrates

Grants and funding

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (2023R1A2C3006220 and 2021R1A5A8029876 to D.R.), a “GIST Research Institute (GRI) IIBR” grant funded by the GIST in 2023 (to D.R.), and HEM Inc. We would like to appreciate all lab members of Ryu lab.