TP53RK

The study proposes to identify inflammatory responsiveness of patients prior to CRC surgery and administer prophylactic anti-inflammatory treatment targeted only to those with an excessive pro-inflammatory response. The study team believe this to be a creative approach as the principles of personalized medicine will be used to treat the appropriate patients, and equally as importantly, to not further suppress the inflammatory response of those who have poor immune function already.
Geroprotectors reduce inflammation, and may reduce postoperative SIR and complications after CRC surgery. In this proposal, we intend to use alpha ketoglutarate (AKG), a geroprotector supplement that enjoys a GRAS (generally regarded as safe) status with the FDA. [12] Apart from reducing inflammation and inhibiting the mTOR pathway, AKG also prevents loss of muscle mass, improves brain oxygenation, has cardioprotective effects, and improves renal function. It also has anti-cancer effects beyond mTOR pathway inhibition, including regulating HIF-1 activity, suppressing secretion of angiogenic factors, and regulating epigenetic processes.

The objective of this project is to define whether nutritional supplement (oral administration with alpha-ketoglutarate) capable of filling-up the citric acid cycle (anaplerotic therapy) can improve outcomes in patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm of 39-49 mm in diameter on ultrasound imaging. Alpha-ketoglutarate is commonly used as a nutritional supplement specially by athletes to increase muscle strength. They can be mixed with formula or other foods. Subjects will be followed for up to 5 years.