The activity of class I, II, III, and IV alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) isoenzymes and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in liver cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), which are most abundant in the liver, are the main enzymes involved in ethanol and acetaldehyde metabolism.

AIMS:

The purpose of this study was to compare the activity of ADH isoenzymes and ALDH between liver carcinoma cells and healthy hepatocytes.

PATIENTS:

Samples were taken from 44 liver cancer patients (19 drinkers, 25 nondrinkers). Seventeen patients had primary liver tumors and 27 had metastatic liver tumors.

METHODS:

Fluorimetric methods were used for measurement of the activity of class I and II ADH isoenzymes and ALDH activity. Total ADH activity and activity of class III and IV isoenzymes were measured by a photometric method.

RESULTS:

The activities of total ADH, ALDH, and class I ADH were significantly higher in cancer cells than in healthy tissues. The other tested classes of ADH showed a tendency toward higher activity in cancer than in normal cells. The differences between enzymes of drinkers and nondrinkers in both cancer and healthy tissue, were not significant.

CONCLUSION:

Differences in the activities of total ADH, ALDH and class I ADH isoenzyme between cancer liver tissues and healthy hepatocytes might be a factor in ethanol metabolism disorders, which can intensify carcinogenesis.

• Authors: Wojciech Jelski, Bogdan Zalewski, Maciej Szmitkowski
• Journal: Digestive diseases and sciences (Dig Dis Sci) Vol. 53 Issue 9 Pg. 2550-5 (Sep 2008) ISSN: 0163-2116 [Print] United States
• PMID: 18224440 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Isoenzymes
• Alcohol Dehydrogenase
• alcohol dehydrogenase IV
• formaldehyde dehydrogenase (glutathione)
• Aldehyde Oxidoreductases
• Aldehyde Dehydrogenase

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Alcohol Dehydrogenase (metabolism)
• Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (metabolism)
• Aldehyde Oxidoreductases (metabolism)
• Biopsy
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (enzymology, pathology)
• Case-Control Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Isoenzymes (metabolism)
• Liver Neoplasms (enzymology, pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged