Effects of Xiaotan Tongfu decoction on hepatic metastasis in obesity-associated colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to assess the influence of obesity on colorectal cancer (CRC) and investigate the efficacy of Xiaotan Tongfu (XTTF) decoction to CRC treatment. METHODS: BALB/C mice were used to establish an obesity-associated CRC model by a high-fat diet and tumor implantation. The tumors were harvested from mice inoculated with CT26 cell suspension. Body weight, liver weight, hepatic metastasis, and histological changes were observed. Immunohistochemical analysis and real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed to measure the levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), and IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3). RESULTS: Obesity influenced the secretion of IGFs and aggravated CRC, while XTTF decoction inhibited the process of hepatic metastasis in CRC by upregulating the secretion of IGF-1/IGF-1R and downregulating the secretion of IGFBP-3. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that XTTF decoction can serve as a candidate curative treatment for CRC.