Metabolomic analysis reveals key changes in amino acid metabolism in colorectal cancer patients

Abstract

The number of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients is steadily growing worldwide, particularly in developing nations. Nonetheless, recent advances in early detection studies and therapy alternatives have reduced CRC mortality in afuent countries, despite rising incidence. Gut microbiota and their metabolites may contribute to tumor growth and reduced therapeutic efcacy. This preliminary study sought to uncover metabolic fngerprints in colorectal cancer patients. It also emphasizes the correlation between the gut microbiome, microbial metabolism, and altered metabolites in CRC. In this study, stool samples from 20 CRC patients and matched healthy controls were enrolled. Untargeted metabolomics approach based on an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) were applied. Statistical approaches, pathway enrichment analysis, and network analysis were employed to unleash CRC perturbed metabolic pathways and putative biomarkers. The study identifed a distinct manually curated metabolite profle that is substantially linked to CRC. The steroidogenesis, aspartate, tryptophan (Trp), and urea cycle were the most signifcant pathways that concurrently contributed to CRC.Prominently, among other pathways, Trp metabolism was identifed as a critical pathway, indicating a possible connection between the development of CRC and gut microbiota. In a nutshell the notable resulted metabolites reveal auspicious biomarkers for the initial diagnosis as well as surveilling of CRC progression. This preliminary study highlights the potential involvement that gut bacteria may contribute in CRC patients. Further investigation into the composition of the gut microbiome associated with this metabolic profle may lead to the identifcation of novel biomarkers for early detection and possible targets for treatment.