TY - JOUR
T1 - Association of serum intestinal fatty-acid binding protein, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers with colorectal cancer among Ghanaian patients
AU - Kwao-Zigah, Genevieve
AU - Bediako-Bowan, Antoinette
AU - Atampugbire, Gabriel Atampugre
AU - Kwayisi-Darkwah, Caleb Koranteng
AU - Quaye, Osbourne
AU - Aryee, Gloria Kezia
AU - Tagoe, Emmanuel Ayitey
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 Kwao-Zigah et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
PY - 2025/10
Y1 - 2025/10
N2 - Background In sub-Saharan Africa, colorectal cancer (CRC) is becoming an increasingly serious public health issue. However, little is known about the relationships between inflammation, oxidative stress, and intestinal barrier biomarkers in African populations. This study examined the association between selected biomarkers, dietary factors, and the risk of CRC among treatment-naïve patients in Ghana. Methods This hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study included twenty-eight CRC patients and twenty-six non-CRC volunteers. Serum samples processed from whole blood were analyzed for tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and intestinal fatty acid binding protein (iFABP) levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The thiobarbituric acid test was used to measure the concentration of serum malondialdehyde (MDA). Dietary intake data were collected using structured questionnaires. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations with CRC risk. Results CRC patients showed significantly higher levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, MDA and iFABP compared to the control group (p<0.05). A Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between IL-1β and TNF-α levels (r=0.606, p< 0.000). TNF-α and MDA levels were significantly associated with increased odds of CRC in both crude and adjusted models (p<0.05). In contrast, IL-1β and iFABP showed only crude significant associations with CRC. Dietary factors, including alcohol consumption, red/processed meat, vegetables, and dairy intake, were not significantly associated with CRC risk. Conclusion The study identifies TNF-α and MDA as potential biomarkers associated with CRC, emphasizing the role of inflammation and oxidative stress in CRC pathogenesis in Ghana. The lack of adjusted association with iFABP may reflect population-specific patterns or limited statistical power. Further large-scale longitudinal studies are warranted.
AB - Background In sub-Saharan Africa, colorectal cancer (CRC) is becoming an increasingly serious public health issue. However, little is known about the relationships between inflammation, oxidative stress, and intestinal barrier biomarkers in African populations. This study examined the association between selected biomarkers, dietary factors, and the risk of CRC among treatment-naïve patients in Ghana. Methods This hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study included twenty-eight CRC patients and twenty-six non-CRC volunteers. Serum samples processed from whole blood were analyzed for tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and intestinal fatty acid binding protein (iFABP) levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The thiobarbituric acid test was used to measure the concentration of serum malondialdehyde (MDA). Dietary intake data were collected using structured questionnaires. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations with CRC risk. Results CRC patients showed significantly higher levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, MDA and iFABP compared to the control group (p<0.05). A Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between IL-1β and TNF-α levels (r=0.606, p< 0.000). TNF-α and MDA levels were significantly associated with increased odds of CRC in both crude and adjusted models (p<0.05). In contrast, IL-1β and iFABP showed only crude significant associations with CRC. Dietary factors, including alcohol consumption, red/processed meat, vegetables, and dairy intake, were not significantly associated with CRC risk. Conclusion The study identifies TNF-α and MDA as potential biomarkers associated with CRC, emphasizing the role of inflammation and oxidative stress in CRC pathogenesis in Ghana. The lack of adjusted association with iFABP may reflect population-specific patterns or limited statistical power. Further large-scale longitudinal studies are warranted.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105017765252
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0333799
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0333799
M3 - Article
C2 - 41042771
AN - SCOPUS:105017765252
SN - 1932-6203
VL - 20
JO - PLoS ONE
JF - PLoS ONE
IS - 10 October
M1 - e0333799
ER -
