Bile Acids and Cancer: Direct and Environmental-Dependent Effects.

Bile Acids and Cancer: Direct and Environmental-Dependent Effects. Ann Hepatol. 2017 Oct 28;16(0):81-99 Authors: Di Ciaula A, Wang DQ, Molina-Molina E, Baccetto RL, Calamita G, Palmieri VO, Portincasa P Abstract Bile acids (BAs) regulate the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, cholesterol and lipids but have also a key role as singalling molecules and in the modulation of epithelial cell proliferation, gene expression and metabolism. These homeostatic pathways, when disrupted, are able to promote local inflammation, systemic metabolic disorders and, ultimately, cancer. The effect of hydrophobic BAs, in particular, can be linked with cancer in several digestive (mainly oesophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, biliary tract, colon) and extra-digestive organs (i.e. prostate, breast) through a complex series of mechanisms including direct oxidative stress with DNA damage, apoptosis, epigenetic factors regulating gene expression, reduced/increased expression of nuclear receptors (mainly farnesoid X receptor, FXR) and altered composition of gut microbiota, also acting as a common interface between environmental factors (including diet, lifestyle, exposure to toxics) and the molecular events promoting cancerogenesis. Primary prevention strategies (i.e. changes in dietary habits and lifestyle, reduced exposure to environmental toxics) mainly able to modulate gut microbiota and the epigenome, and the therapeutic use of hydrophilic BAs to counter...
Source: Annals of Hepatology - Category: Gastroenterology Tags: Ann Hepatol Source Type: research