TNF and colorectal carcinoma: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), as the core products of gut microbiota metabolism of dietary fiber (accounting for more than 70% of the total intestinal metabolites), play a key mediating role in CRC prevention and control by regulating intestinal barrier function (enhancing the expression of tight junction protein Occludin), inhibiting inflammatory responses (reducing the levels of TNF-α [Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha] and Interleukin-6 [IL-6]) and promoting colonic cell apoptosis (activating the Cysteine Aspartate-Specific Protease 3 pathway) [3,4,5,6].