Colorectal cancer is a malignant neoplasm that affects the large intestine (colon and rectum) and is in third place among the most common types of cancer. To understand the pathophysiology of the disease, our team induces colorectal carcinogenesis in rats using 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH), this substance induces the formation of lesions in the colon similar to those found in humans. Carcinogenesis develops in the large intestine, but the inflammation and oxidative stress caused by the disease causes cellular damage throughout the body, and little is known about this damage in other regions of the body. Therefore, the objective of this project is to study the effects of colorectal carcinogenesis on the Enteric Nervous System and the mucosa of the small intestine, as well as on the liver and kidneys. Furthermore, we also evaluated the effects of administering substances with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antineoplastic potential, such as quercetin and the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis together and alone, in order to mitigate the effects of carcinogenesis.

Melatonin is a hormone that stands out in the literature for showing apparent beneficial effects in several experimental models (including cancer) and its use for sleep-related problems is increasing, due to the ease of purchase for consumption. However, little is known about the effects of pharmacological doses of melatonin outside the central nervous system and little has been evaluated about its influence on the gastrointestinal tract and the enteric nervous system, in physiological and pathological conditions. Therefore, this project aims to study the influence of supplementation with pharmacological doses (10 mg/kg) of melatonin in physiological conditions and in an experimental model of non-small cell lung carcinoma, focusing on the gastrointestinal tract and the enteric nervous system.

Studying C26 colon carcinoma and its possible treatment with fish oil is motivated by the need to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved in colorectal cancer and explore potential therapeutic strategies. This work aims to evaluate the effect of fish oil supplementation on the intestine and liver of Balb-C mice in an animal model of cachexia caused by the implantation of colorectal cancer cells (C26). The results of these studies may have important clinical implications, contributing to advances in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of colon cancer.

It is already known that, among other things, social isolation in adolescents is related to emotional and biological imbalances, being associated with negative symptoms, such as loneliness, anxiety, depressive traits, among others. But what about the enteric nervous system? This project aims to study how social isolation affects the enteric nervous system and what effects this can have on the intestine.

In recent years, the Enteric Neural Plasticity Research Group has been conducting research into chronic degenerative diseases such as diabetes, cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. The group uses rat models to induce pathology in order to study the effects on the enteric nervous system, as well as the possible systemic effects of arthritis, which can affect other organs such as the gut. With the great prominence of cannabidiol in recent years and evidence of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant role, the project aims to administer CBD in an experimental model of rheumatoid arthritis, evaluating physiological parameters, disease progression, morphological changes in the Enteric Nervous System, kidneys, liver, and intestinal wall. It will also evaluate the oxidative status of the animals.