Prompt: List as many human non-infectious diseases that you can think of that are influenced by microorganisms.
Irritable Bowel, Crohn’s, MS, Cancers, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Autoimmune diseases, Heart disease
While I do not know the interaction of microorganisms with these noncommunicable diseases, it would make sense that microbes would influence or play an integral role in these diseases and many more. Specifically, I am aware that there are certain super-strain gut bacteria that produce harmful amounts of alcohol. While this may be very uncommon, these excessive alcohol-producing bacteria may affect cells. Heavy alcohol intake is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer because of carcinogenic agents in alcohol (Cogliano et al., Gong et al.). Alcohol may delay DNA repair or antagonize metabolism of methyl groups, contributing to abnormal DNA methylation which may increase risks of CRC via loss of control of protooncogene activity (Chan et al., Ferrari et al.). Carcinogens can also promote mutations in cell signaling pathways.
References
Chan, A.T. & Giovannucci, E.L. (2010). Primary prevention of colorectal cancer. Gastroenterology, 138, 2029-2043.
Cogliano, V.J., Baan, R., Straif, K., Grosse, Y., Lauby-Secretan, B., El Ghissassi, F., … & Wild, C.P. (2011). Preventable exposures associated with human cancers. DOI:10.1093/jnci/djr483
Ferrari, P., Jenab, M., Norat, T., Moskal, A., Slimani, N., Olsen, A., … & Riboli, E. (2007). Lifetime and baseline alcohol intake and risk of colon and rectal cancers in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). International Journal of Cancer, 121, 2065-2072. DOI:10.1002/ijc.22966
Gong, J., Hutter, C.M., Newcomb, P.A., Ulrich, C.M., Bien, S.A., Campbell, P.T., … Peters, U. (2016). Genome-wide interaction analyses between genetic variants and alcohol consumption and smoking for risk of colorectal cancer. PLOS Genetics. DOI:10.1371/journal.pgen.1006296
