Berska Joanna1, Bugajska Jolanta2, Grabowska Agnieszka3, Hodorowicz-Zaniewska Diana4, Sztefko Krystyna2. 1. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Wielicka St. 265, Krakow 30-663, Poland. Electronic address: joanna.berska@uj.edu.pl. 2. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Wielicka St. 265, Krakow 30-663, Poland. 3. Department of Medical Genetics, Chair of Pediatrics, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Wielicka St. 265, Krakow 30-663, Poland. 4. First Department of Surgery, Jagiellonian University College of Medicine, Krakow, Kopernika St. 40, Krakow 31-501, Poland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Evidence shows that vitamin D and cyclooxygenase type 2 (COX-2) might play role in aetiology/progression of cancer. It is suggested that antitumour effect of vitamin D depends on vitamin D-receptor (VDR) expression. Aim of the study was to determine vitamin D and polyunsaturated fatty acids in colorectal cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 39 patients with colorectal cancer (mean ± SD age: 65.5 ± 6.8 years) and 25 controls (mean ± SD age: 51.0 ± 6.9 years) were studied. 25-hydroxycholecalciferol-25(OH)D3 in serum was quantitatively determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Levels of linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA) of serum phospholipids were measured by gas-chromatography (GC). Expression of VDR and COX-2 in normal colonic mucosa and tumour tissue was measured by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The mean value of 25(OH)D3 was significantly lower in the colorectal cancer patients with early stages of the disease and in patients with tumour confined to the rectum compared to control group (p < 0.02, p < 0.03, respectively). The higher concentration of AA (patients with early stages of the disease) and lower concentration of LA (patients with the advanced stages of the disease) was noticed compared to the control group. For the patients with the early stages of the disease the higher mean fold change of mRNA VDR and the lower mean fold change of mRNA COX-2 was noticed (p < 0.03, p < 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: The assessment of vitamin D status in patients with colorectal cancer should include measurement of mRNA VDR expression in tumour tissue.
BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Evidence shows that vitamin D and cyclooxygenase type 2 (COX-2) might play role in aetiology/progression of cancer. It is suggested that antitumour effect of vitamin D depends on vitamin D-receptor (VDR) expression. Aim of the study was to determine vitamin D and polyunsaturated fatty acids in colorectal cancerpatients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 39 patients with colorectal cancer (mean ± SD age: 65.5 ± 6.8 years) and 25 controls (mean ± SD age: 51.0 ± 6.9 years) were studied. 25-hydroxycholecalciferol-25(OH)D3 in serum was quantitatively determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Levels of linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA) of serum phospholipids were measured by gas-chromatography (GC). Expression of VDR and COX-2 in normal colonic mucosa and tumour tissue was measured by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The mean value of 25(OH)D3 was significantly lower in the colorectal cancerpatients with early stages of the disease and in patients with tumour confined to the rectum compared to control group (p < 0.02, p < 0.03, respectively). The higher concentration of AA (patients with early stages of the disease) and lower concentration of LA (patients with the advanced stages of the disease) was noticed compared to the control group. For the patients with the early stages of the disease the higher mean fold change of mRNA VDR and the lower mean fold change of mRNA COX-2 was noticed (p < 0.03, p < 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: The assessment of vitamin D status in patients with colorectal cancer should include measurement of mRNA VDR expression in tumour tissue.