The incidence of gastrointestinal conditions has increased in recent years. These include a variety of diseases, from colorectal cancer to inflammatory bowel disease, although they have certain risk factors in common, especially those related to lifestyle: obesity, tobacco use, sedentary lifestyle and diet. Diet is a risk factor in all of them and a crucial regulator of gene expression, which plays an important role in conditions such as colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.
With the intention of better defining the specific mechanisms by which diet modifies the risk of intestinal diseases, a research group led by Dr. Victor Moreno, head of the colorectal cancer research group at IDIBELL and ICO, has analyzed the gene expression and diet data of a cohort of 436 people. First, they quantified the RNA – a molecule indicating DNA expression – present in colonic tissue samples, while obtaining food consumption frequency questionnaires. By comparing both data for each participant, the researchers analyzed in which genes the expression was increased or decreased in relation to the foods and food groups consumed.
The results show that, in healthy individuals, the intake of some foods such as oily fish, alcohol and potatoes has a great impact on the expression of genes related to DNA repair, immune function and protein glycosylation, among others. Thus, it can be concluded that diet plays an important role in the colon genetics and function, although more studies are needed in order to better describe these processes and be able to assess the potential of diet to prevent or treat intestinal conditions.
Nutrition and nutrigenomics
The dietary pattern and the foods we eat play an important role in regulating the intestinal microbiota, oxidative stress and inflammation, thus influencing our overall health. In the case of colon cancer, for example, this relationship is even more direct: vegetables, fish and seafood consumption is known to reduce its risk, while red and processed meats, sweets and saturated fats increase it.
In addition, diet also modulates the expression of certain genes and, as a result, plays an important role in our organs functioning. In most cases, the specific mechanisms are not yet known, and this is the goal of nutrigenomics: to understand how the intake of various foods modulates gene expression and the risk of certain diseases.
The Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) is a biomedical research center created in 2004. It is participated by the Bellvitge University Hospital and the Viladecans Hospital of the Catalan Institute of Health, the Catalan Institute of Oncology, the University of Barcelona and the City Council of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat.
IDIBELL is a member of the Campus of International Excellence of the University of Barcelona HUBc and is part of the CERCA institution of the Generalitat de Catalunya. In 2009 it became one of the first five Spanish research centers accredited as a health research institute by the Carlos III Health Institute. In addition, it is part of the “HR Excellence in Research” program of the European Union and is a member of EATRIS and REGIC. Since 2018, IDIBELL has been an Accredited Center of the AECC Scientific Foundation (FCAECC).