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Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 9/2013

01-09-2013 | Original Article

Significant Changes in the Intestinal Environment After Surgery in Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Authors: Seiji Ohigashi, Kazuki Sudo, Daiki Kobayashi, Takuya Takahashi, Koji Nomoto, Hisashi Onodera

Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery | Issue 9/2013

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Abstract

Background

There have been very few detailed reports of the intestinal environment after surgical treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC). We analysed faecal microbiota, organic acids and pH to investigate the influence of colorectal surgery on the intestinal environment.

Methods

Faecal samples from 81 CRC patients were collected before the start of pre-operative preparation the day before surgery, as well as 7 days or more after surgery. Thirteen groups of intestinal microbiota, eight types of organic acids, and pH were measured using 16S rRNA-targeted reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, high-performance liquid chromatography and a pH meter, respectively.

Results

Total bacterial counts (10.3 ± 0.6 vs. 9.4 ± 1.2 log10 cells/g; p < 0.001) and the numbers of 6 groups of obligate anaerobes were significantly decreased after surgery. In contrast, the populations of Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas were significantly increased. Post-operatively, the concentration of total organic acids was lower (77.9 ± 40.1 vs. 50.1 ± 37.0 μmol/g; p < 0.001) than the pre-operative concentration, and a significant reduction in short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) was observed.

Conclusion

Significant changes in the intestinal environment, including marked decreases in obligate anaerobes, increases in pathogenic bacteria, and reductions in SCFAs, were detected after surgery for CRC.
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Metadata
Title
Significant Changes in the Intestinal Environment After Surgery in Patients with Colorectal Cancer
Authors
Seiji Ohigashi
Kazuki Sudo
Daiki Kobayashi
Takuya Takahashi
Koji Nomoto
Hisashi Onodera
Publication date
01-09-2013
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery / Issue 9/2013
Print ISSN: 1091-255X
Electronic ISSN: 1873-4626
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-013-2270-x

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