Project

Influence of (processed) red meat on colon cancer: a new in vitro approach

Code
3F006117
Duration
01 October 2017 → 31 January 2022
Funding
Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO)
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Other chemical sciences
    • Biochemistry and metabolism
    • Evolutionary biology
    • General biology
  • Medical and health sciences
    • Medical biochemistry and metabolism
    • Morphological sciences
    • Oncology
    • Medical biochemistry and metabolism
    • Morphological sciences
    • Oncology
    • Social medical sciences
    • Nutrition and dietetics
    • Medical biochemistry and metabolism
    • Morphological sciences
    • Oncology
  • Agricultural and food sciences
    • Agricultural animal production
    • Food sciences and (bio)technology
Keywords
Long term exposure Cell-based models Red (processed) meat Colon cancer Digestion metabolites
 
Project description

Meat is a valuable nutrient source. Yet, epidemiological studies have revealed the colon cancer inducing effect of red and processed meat products. Therefore, the Superior Health Council has recommended to restrict red and processed meat consumption. Mechanisms behind this effect are still not fully understood, and especially the impact of the colonic environment on later stages of colon cancer progression is not well explored. In this project, novel cell-culture based approaches will be developed to study the impact of the colonic environment, as simulated by in vitro intestinal meat digestion, on colon cancer initiation and progression. First, organoids will be constructed from crypt cells isolated from human intestinal biopts. These organoids, in parallel with existing intestinal cell lines, will be treated with red/processed meat digest compounds on the long term to study especially colon cancer progression. DNA damage and adduct formation will be studied by microscopy and analytical techniques, and the altered cell phenotype will be characterized using live-cell imaging, molecular techniques and LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics. As an in vivo validation, a selection of altered cells will be injected to nu/nu mice to follow up their tumor forming potential and metastasis. In parallel, these mice will be fed white or red/processed meat diets to study synergistic effects. The results of this research may lead towards healthier meat-based food formulations and recommendations.