مقالات پذیرفته شده در نهمین کنگره بین المللی زیست پزشکی
Investigating the Effects of Inulin on Thyroid Cancer: Mechanisms and Treatment Potential
Investigating the Effects of Inulin on Thyroid Cancer: Mechanisms and Treatment Potential
Fatemeh Abolmashadi,1Mahdi Moridi Farimani,2,*
1. Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran 2. Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
Introduction: Thyroid cancer is the most prevalent malignant neoplasm of the endocrine glands, which, despite advancements in treatment, faces challenges such as resistance to radioiodine therapy and disturbances in gut microbiota. This study introduces the prebiotic inulin as a safer therapeutic option that plays a crucial role in inhibiting tumor progression by modulating the composition of gut microbiota and enhancing the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, while also addressing its therapeutic mechanisms of action.
Methods: This evaluation is based on a comprehensive review of the existing literature, focusing on research published within the last decade. The search terms utilized included "Thyroid cancer," "Prebiotic," "Inulin," and "Microbiota." The scope of the search was confined to publications in the English language, and the decision to include specific papers was made through a consensus among the authors, considering their pertinence to the subject matter.
Results: Thyroid cancer (TC) represents the most prevalent malignant neoplasm within the endocrine system, with its incidence rising over recent decades. The prebiotic inulin serves as a potential treatment for thyroid cancer; it is a non-digestible fiber that promotes the proliferation of beneficial intestinal bacteria, such as Bifidobacteria, Bacteroides, and Acremancy, resulting in enhanced production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). In vitro studies utilizing 60 mg of inulin have demonstrated a significant increase in the population of beneficial bacteria, including Bifidobacteria and Acremancy, which subsequently leads to elevated SCFA production and improved anti-inflammatory responses. SCFAs, particularly butyrate, contribute to the alleviation of chemotherapy-related side effects, mitigate oxidative stress, and enhance thyroid health. As a metabolite produced by gut microbes, butyrate enhances anticancer therapies by modulating intracellular calcium homeostasis, and its supplementation has been shown to improve the therapeutic effectiveness of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor sorafenib. Furthermore, butyrate, acting as a histone deacetylase inhibitor, significantly activates the p21/WAF1 gene promoter through the Spl site, resulting in cell cycle arrest. This concept of “gene-regulated chemotherapy or chemoprevention” may represent an innovative strategy for the treatment or prevention of thyroid cancer. These instances underscore the potential of these interactions with the immune system, gene expression, and the behavior of cancer cells, highlighting the considerable promise of the prebiotic inulin in the management of thyroid cancer.
Conclusion: Consequently, inulin is considered a promising adjunctive strategy in the treatment of thyroid cancer by modulating the gut-thyroid ecosystem and enhancing immune and metabolic pathways. However, further clinical studies are essential to establish the optimal dosage and efficacy in humans.