TNF as a biomarker of gut inflammation in a multi-intervention study examining functional foods, micronutrients and thermally abused oil as modulators of inflammation associated colorectal cancer

Americans with leaky gut, or increased intestinal permeability, often develop chronic inflammation of the colon, termed colitis, and are at greater risk for developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is an inflammatory cytokine that controls apoptosis and plays a role in development of disease, including irritable bowel disease and CRC. Consumption of a poor diet, high in processed foods and low in fruits and vegetables, is another notable risk factor for CRC. Diet modification with functional foods containing health-promoting bioactive components or micronutrients represents a safe and cost-effective strategy to decrease the incidence of cancer and/or delay the onset of the disease. Previously, our group assessed the impact of several distinct dietary interventions in a mouse model of inflammation-associated CRC, including supplementation with tart cherries; black raspberries; calcium and vitamin D; or methyl donor micronutrients. Also, we examined the impact of using thermally abused oil in formulation of a standard diet (AIN93G) or a Western type diet (total Western diet, TWD) on gut inflammation and tumorigenesis. The objective of the present work is to examine the impact of these dietary interventions on expression of TNF as a molecular biomarker of gut inflammation. The hypotheses to be tested in this study are 1) that supplementation of a Western type diet with anti-inflammatory agents (tart cherries, black raspberries, methyl donors, or calcium/vitamin D) will suppress TNF expression and 2) that consumption of TAO, purported to elevate inflammation, elevate TNF in colon tissues. Colon tissues were obtained from the aforementioned study and processed for histopathology assessment. These tissues will be subject to immunohistochemistry for detection of TNF protein in colon mucosa. Preliminary results of this ongoing work will be presented at this Symposium