This review describes the state of the art regarding the prebiotic role of chitin and the interactions of chitin and chitosan with cancer cells. Chitin is the second most abundant polysaccharide in nature and a constitutive component of crustacean shells and the exoskeleton of insects. Chitosan is the deacetylated form of chitin, which is obtained by chemical processing or the enzymatic activity of deacetylases found in microorganisms and insects. Edible insects have recently been introduced in Western countries, thus raising concerns regarding food safety and due to their chitin content and the release of chitosan during the digestive process. The roles of insect chitin and chitosan in the gastrointestinal tract, microbiome modulation, and cancer have been widely investigated. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have shown the possible microbiota modulation of chitin and its relevant communication with the immune system, thus confirming its prebiotic activity. No evidence has been provided on the cancerogenic activity of chitin; however, studies have suggested that chitin has a cytotoxic effect on cancer cell lines. Chitosan has been confirmed to exhibit apoptotic and cytotoxic activities on cancer cells in several in vitro studies on cancer cell lines and in vivo models. In conclusion, the literature does not show a direct connection between the presence of chitin or chitosan and the onset of cancer. However, cytotoxic and apoptotic activities in relation to cancerous lines have been demonstrated.

Unravelling the Role of Chitin and Chitosan in Prebiotic Activity and Correlation With Cancer: A Narrative Review / I. Ferri, B. Canala, L. Rossi. - In: NUTRITION REVIEWS. - ISSN 1753-4887. - (2024), pp. nuae168.1-nuae168.10. [Epub ahead of print] [10.1093/nutrit/nuae168]

Unravelling the Role of Chitin and Chitosan in Prebiotic Activity and Correlation With Cancer: A Narrative Review

I. Ferri
Co-primo
;
B. Canala
Co-primo
;
L. Rossi
Ultimo
2024

Abstract

This review describes the state of the art regarding the prebiotic role of chitin and the interactions of chitin and chitosan with cancer cells. Chitin is the second most abundant polysaccharide in nature and a constitutive component of crustacean shells and the exoskeleton of insects. Chitosan is the deacetylated form of chitin, which is obtained by chemical processing or the enzymatic activity of deacetylases found in microorganisms and insects. Edible insects have recently been introduced in Western countries, thus raising concerns regarding food safety and due to their chitin content and the release of chitosan during the digestive process. The roles of insect chitin and chitosan in the gastrointestinal tract, microbiome modulation, and cancer have been widely investigated. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have shown the possible microbiota modulation of chitin and its relevant communication with the immune system, thus confirming its prebiotic activity. No evidence has been provided on the cancerogenic activity of chitin; however, studies have suggested that chitin has a cytotoxic effect on cancer cell lines. Chitosan has been confirmed to exhibit apoptotic and cytotoxic activities on cancer cells in several in vitro studies on cancer cell lines and in vivo models. In conclusion, the literature does not show a direct connection between the presence of chitin or chitosan and the onset of cancer. However, cytotoxic and apoptotic activities in relation to cancerous lines have been demonstrated.
chitin; chitosan; edible insects; nutrition; prebiotic; cancer
Settore AGRI-09/B - Nutrizione e alimentazione animale
   Piano Sviluppo Unimi - Linea 3 - Bando SOE 2020 - Progetto ASAP-Algae based pig
   ASAP-Algae based pig
   UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO
2024
12-nov-2024
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/1117851
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