# The Use of Antimicrobials in Animal Husbandry as a Potential Factor for the Increased Incidence of Colorectal Cancer: Food Safety and Kinetics in a Murine Model

## TL;DR

This study explores how long-term use of antimicrobials in animal farming might affect gut health and colorectal cancer risk in mice.

## Contribution

The study introduces a translational mouse model to assess antimicrobial residue effects on gut microbiota and cancer progression.

## Key findings

- Antimicrobial residues in food may alter gut microbiota over time.
- Prolonged exposure does not significantly increase colorectal cancer risk in mice.
- Antimicrobial residues are rarely detected in animal-derived food products.

## Abstract

This project aimed to investigate the effects of prolonged administration of the broad-spectrum antimicrobials widely used in animal husbandry. By generating an animal engraftment model, it was assessed whether the accumulation of these antimicrobials or their residues over time could constitute a risk for consumers of animal-derived foods. In order to improve knowledge of the onset of colorectal cancer, the present study evaluated how antimicrobials could affect the composition of the gut microbiome and the immune system.

The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of the prolonged use of the broad-spectrum antimicrobial widely used in animal husbandry. By means of a mouse model, a translational study was carried out on immunocompetent mice (with a complete immune system). This study highlighted the effect of antimicrobial residues taken in with food on the growth time of cancer and on alterations to the gut microbiota. This project considered the fight against antimicrobial resistance from a One Health perspectivethrough collaboration between human medicine and veterinary medicine. Regarding food safety, antimicrobial residues in products of animal origin are rarely detected; they therefore constitute a negligible factor in determining colorectal cancer.