Increased Th17-Related Cytokine Serum Levels in Patients With Multiple Polyps of Unexplained Origin

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Most patients with multiple colonic polyps do not have a known genetic or hereditary origin. Our aim was to analyze the presence of inflammatory cytokines and levels of glucose, insulin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with multiple colonic polyps. METHODS: Eighty-three patients with 10 or more adenomatous or serrated polyps and 53 control people with normal colonoscopy were included. Smoking habits were registered, and glucose, CRP, and basal insulin in the serum/blood were measured. Quantification of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-11, IL-17A, and IL-23 cytokine levels in the serum was performed by a high-sensitivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Smoking and diabetes were more prevalent in those with colonic polyps than in the control people (67% vs 16%, P = 0.001; 11% vs 2%, P = 0.048). In addition, the cytokine serum levels were higher, i.e., IL-2 (P = 0.001), IL-4 (P = 0.001), IL-6 (P = 0.001), IL-17A (P = 0.001), IL-23 (P = 0.014), and CRP (P = 0.003). Adjusting for sex, smoking, and diabetes in a multivariate analysis, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17A, and IL-23 remained independently elevated in cases with multiple polyps. DISCUSSION: These results indicate that immune responses mediated by Th17 cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of multiple colonic polyps.

Adherence to Mediterranean diet and its association with multiple colonic polyps of unknown origin: a case-control study

“…Adherence to a MD affects the microbiome and can modify different aspects of the intestinal immune response. Some of these aspects, such as activation of the Th17 response with increased production of IL-17/IL-23 cytokines, have also been related to the development of multiple colonic polyps of unknown origin ( 2 ).…”

“…Patients with multiple colonic polyps of unknown origin are increasingly found in endoscopy units, especially in FIT-based CRC screening programs. The genetic background has been characterized in only 20–30% of cases of multiple colonic polyps ( 2 , 3 ). The causes of this phenotype are intriguing, and a field effect affecting the colonic mucosa and provoking the development of adenomatous or serrated polyps has been suggested ( 2 ).…”

“…The genetic background has been characterized in only 20–30% of cases of multiple colonic polyps ( 2 , 3 ). The causes of this phenotype are intriguing, and a field effect affecting the colonic mucosa and provoking the development of adenomatous or serrated polyps has been suggested ( 2 ). This field effect can be caused by smoking, obesity, metabolic syndrome, unknown genetic alterations, or activation of an inflammatory response.…”

“…This field effect can be caused by smoking, obesity, metabolic syndrome, unknown genetic alterations, or activation of an inflammatory response. We recently demonstrated an association between activation of a proinflammatory pathway and the development of multiple colonic polyps ( 2 ). This route is mediated by the activation of the Th17 immune response that is associated with colorectal tumorigenesis and inflammation-related cancer ( 4 ).…”

“…Bujanda-Miguel et al 10.3389/fnut. 2023.1186808 Frontiers in Nutrition 02 frontiersin.org development of adenomatous or serrated polyps has been suggested (2). This field effect can be caused by smoking, obesity, metabolic syndrome, unknown genetic alterations, or activation of an inflammatory response.…”