Serum β-glucuronidase as a potential colon cancer marker: a preliminary study.

Abstract

AIM:

Colorectal cancer is characterized by high morbidity and mortality in developed countries. The lack of low-cost, easy-to-use screening diagnostic methods is one of the causes of late diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Beta-glucuronidase (GLU) is a lysosomal exoglycosidase involved in degradation of glycosaminoglycans of the cell membranes and extracellular matrix of normal and cancerous colon tissues. The aim of our research was to evaluate the activity of GLU in the serum of colorectal cancer and estimate its potential value in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Blood samples were collected from 21 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma and 17 healthy subjects. GLU activity was determined by the colorimetric method of Marciniak et al. by measuring the amount of p-nitrophenol released from 4-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucuronide, at λ = 405 nm.

RESULTS:

We found significantly greater activity of GLU (p<0.0001) in the serum of patients with colorectal cancer, as compared to the healthy subjects. The serum GLU activity significantly differentiates patients with colorectal cancer from healthy individuals.

CONCLUSIONS:

Serum GLU activity has diagnostic value and may be used in the diagnosis of colon adenocarcinoma.

• Authors: Napoleon Waszkiewicz, Sławomir Dariusz Szajda, Emilia Konarzewska-Duchnowska, Beata Zalewska-Szajda, Robert Gałązkowski, Anna Sawko, Halim Nammous, Vyacheslav Buko, Agata Szulc, Krzysztof Zwierz, Jerzy Robert Ładny
• Journal: Postepy higieny i medycyny doswiadczalnej (Online) (Postepy Hig Med Dosw (Online)) Vol. 69 Pg. 436-9 (Apr 08 2015) ISSN: 1732-2693 [Electronic] Poland
• PMID: 25897103 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Nitrophenols
• Glucuronidase

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (blood, diagnosis)
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Biomarkers, Tumor (blood)
• Colonic Neoplasms (blood, diagnosis)
• Female
• Glucuronidase (blood)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nitrophenols (blood)