Metabolic pathways in anal fistula: paving the way for innovative treatments.

Background: Anal fistula, particularly in its cryptoglandular form, is a common yet challenging condition to treat, often resulting in poor healing and recurrent infections. Investigating the metabolic changes associated with anal fistula may offer valuable insights into its underlying mechanisms and assist in the development of more effective treatments.

Methods: This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of serum samples from patients with various types of anal fistula and healthy controls. Metabolomic profiling was performed to identify differences in metabolic pathways between the groups.

Results: The analysis revealed significant metabolic alterations in patients with anal fistula, particularly in fatty acid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. Notably, metabolites such as adrenic acid, LysoPC (22:5n6), and PC (18:0/22:4) were significantly associated with the progression of anal fistula. These metabolites could serve as biomarkers for the condition, with particular relevance in differentiating between acute and chronic stages.

Conclusion: The study provides new insight into the metabolic basis of anal fistula, identifying specific metabolic pathways and metabolites that may play crucial roles in its progression. These findings may contribute to the development of targeted therapies for more effective treatment.