The Effects of Cellulose on AOM/DSS-Treated C57BL/6 Colorectal Cancer Mice by Changing Intestinal Flora Composition and Inflammatory Factors

Abstract

Chronic intestinal inflammation is a key risk factor of colorectal cancer (CRC). It is known that microbial dysbiosis induces increased inflammatory factors which promote tumorigenesis and cellulose can be beneficial to CRC. In the present study, we investigated the regulatory effects of cellulose on intestinal flora composition and colorectal carcinogenesis in an azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced CRC mouse model. Supplementation of cellulose significantly attenuated inflammation and tumor formation in AOM/DSS-treated CRC mice. The survival rate and the tumor inhibition rate were higher in the medium-dose cellulose group (MCEG) and high-dose cellulose group (HCEG) than in the model group (MG; P < 0.05). Cellulose supplementation stimulated shifts in the intestinal flora in AOM/DSS-treated CRC mice. Additionally, levels of inflammatory mediators involved in colorectal carcinogenesis, such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, were lower in the serum of the low-dose cellulose group, MCEG, and HCEG when compared with the MG (P < 0.05). Whereas the abundance of differential bacteria was correlated with the concentration of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. These results showed cellulose changed the composition of intestinal flora and inhibited colon inflammation and neoplasm formation caused by the AOM/DSS treatment.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Qingdao postdoctoral Applied Research Project [grant number: 40518060067].

Notes on contributors

Qianqian Li

Conception and design was performed by Chen Chen, Yang Song, Qianqian Li, and Cuiping Liu; experimental implementation by Qianqian Li, Xiaohan Liu, and Yifan Ci; acquisition of data by Qianqian Li, Xiaohan Liu, and Yifan Ci; analysis and interpretation of data by Qianqian Li and Wenna Sun; drafting the article by Qianqian Li and Chen Chen; revising it critically for important intellectual content by Yang Song, Cuiping Liu, Wenna Sun, Xiaohan Liu, and Yifan Ci; final approval of the version to be published was decided by Cuiping Liu, Yang Song, Wenna Sun, Xiaohan Liu and Yifan Ci. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Chen Chen

Conception and design was performed by Chen Chen, Yang Song, Qianqian Li, and Cuiping Liu; experimental implementation by Qianqian Li, Xiaohan Liu, and Yifan Ci; acquisition of data by Qianqian Li, Xiaohan Liu, and Yifan Ci; analysis and interpretation of data by Qianqian Li and Wenna Sun; drafting the article by Qianqian Li and Chen Chen; revising it critically for important intellectual content by Yang Song, Cuiping Liu, Wenna Sun, Xiaohan Liu, and Yifan Ci; final approval of the version to be published was decided by Cuiping Liu, Yang Song, Wenna Sun, Xiaohan Liu and Yifan Ci. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Cuiping Liu

Conception and design was performed by Chen Chen, Yang Song, Qianqian Li, and Cuiping Liu; experimental implementation by Qianqian Li, Xiaohan Liu, and Yifan Ci; acquisition of data by Qianqian Li, Xiaohan Liu, and Yifan Ci; analysis and interpretation of data by Qianqian Li and Wenna Sun; drafting the article by Qianqian Li and Chen Chen; revising it critically for important intellectual content by Yang Song, Cuiping Liu, Wenna Sun, Xiaohan Liu, and Yifan Ci; final approval of the version to be published was decided by Cuiping Liu, Yang Song, Wenna Sun, Xiaohan Liu and Yifan Ci. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Wenna Sun

Conception and design was performed by Chen Chen, Yang Song, Qianqian Li, and Cuiping Liu; experimental implementation by Qianqian Li, Xiaohan Liu, and Yifan Ci; acquisition of data by Qianqian Li, Xiaohan Liu, and Yifan Ci; analysis and interpretation of data by Qianqian Li and Wenna Sun; drafting the article by Qianqian Li and Chen Chen; revising it critically for important intellectual content by Yang Song, Cuiping Liu, Wenna Sun, Xiaohan Liu, and Yifan Ci; final approval of the version to be published was decided by Cuiping Liu, Yang Song, Wenna Sun, Xiaohan Liu and Yifan Ci. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Xiaohan Liu

Conception and design was performed by Chen Chen, Yang Song, Qianqian Li, and Cuiping Liu; experimental implementation by Qianqian Li, Xiaohan Liu, and Yifan Ci; acquisition of data by Qianqian Li, Xiaohan Liu, and Yifan Ci; analysis and interpretation of data by Qianqian Li and Wenna Sun; drafting the article by Qianqian Li and Chen Chen; revising it critically for important intellectual content by Yang Song, Cuiping Liu, Wenna Sun, Xiaohan Liu, and Yifan Ci; final approval of the version to be published was decided by Cuiping Liu, Yang Song, Wenna Sun, Xiaohan Liu and Yifan Ci. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Yifan Ci

Conception and design was performed by Chen Chen, Yang Song, Qianqian Li, and Cuiping Liu; experimental implementation by Qianqian Li, Xiaohan Liu, and Yifan Ci; acquisition of data by Qianqian Li, Xiaohan Liu, and Yifan Ci; analysis and interpretation of data by Qianqian Li and Wenna Sun; drafting the article by Qianqian Li and Chen Chen; revising it critically for important intellectual content by Yang Song, Cuiping Liu, Wenna Sun, Xiaohan Liu, and Yifan Ci; final approval of the version to be published was decided by Cuiping Liu, Yang Song, Wenna Sun, Xiaohan Liu and Yifan Ci. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Yang Song

Conception and design was performed by Chen Chen, Yang Song, Qianqian Li, and Cuiping Liu; experimental implementation by Qianqian Li, Xiaohan Liu, and Yifan Ci; acquisition of data by Qianqian Li, Xiaohan Liu, and Yifan Ci; analysis and interpretation of data by Qianqian Li and Wenna Sun; drafting the article by Qianqian Li and Chen Chen; revising it critically for important intellectual content by Yang Song, Cuiping Liu, Wenna Sun, Xiaohan Liu, and Yifan Ci; final approval of the version to be published was decided by Cuiping Liu, Yang Song, Wenna Sun, Xiaohan Liu and Yifan Ci. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.