Comparative serum imidazole propionate profiling in colorectal adenoma and cancer by UPLC-MS/MS

IntroductionThe incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing with colorectal adenomas recognized as key precancerous lesions. Emerging evidence suggests that Imidazole propionate (ImP), a metabolite of gut microbiota, is elevated in patients, indicating a potential role in tumorigenesis of CRC.ObjectivesThis study aimed to validate a novel method for detecting serum ImP using 3-piperazin-1-yl-propionic acid as an internal standard (IS), and to compare ImP levels between patients with colorectal adenomas and colorectal cancer.Methods Serum ImP were measured using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) with 3-piperazin-1-yl-propionic acid as the IS. Four distinct patient groups were analyzed.Results The use of 3-piperazin-1-yl-propionic acid as an IS was successfully validated for the quantification of ImP. Serum ImP differed significantly among the groups, showing a stepwise increase from healthy controls to patients with colorectal adenomas and CRC. Notably, ImP concentrations were significantly higher in CRC patients than in other groups.Conclusion This study demonstrates the successful application of 3-piperazin-1-yl-propionic acid as an IS provides a viable method for measuring serum ImP concentrations. The results suggest a potential link between ImP and colorectal cancer development.