Familial adenomatous polyposis and sphingomyelinase activity
Author Information
Author(s): Hertervig E, Nilsson Å, Björk J, Hultkrantz R, Duan R-D
Primary Institution: Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden; Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
Hypothesis
Is the marked decrease in alkaline sphingomyelinase activity a key factor in unrestrained cell proliferation associated with familial adenomatous polyposis?
Conclusion
The significantly reduced levels of alkaline sphingomyelinase in FAP adenomas may contribute to unrestrained cell proliferation and neoplastic transformation.
Supporting Evidence
- Alkaline sphingomyelinase activity was reduced by 90% in FAP adenoma tissue compared to controls.
- Acid sphingomyelinase activity was reduced by 66% in FAP adenoma tissue.
- Neutral sphingomyelinase activity was reduced by 54% in FAP adenoma tissue.
- In sporadic adenoma tissue, alkaline sphingomyelinase was reduced by 57%.
Takeaway
People with familial adenomatous polyposis have much lower levels of a certain enzyme that helps control cell growth, which might lead to cancer.
Methodology
Sphingomyelinase activities were measured in tissue samples from patients with familial adenomatous polyposis and sporadic colorectal adenomas.
Participant Demographics
Patients included 11 FAP patients with ileorectal anastomosis, 3 FAP patients with intact colon, 13 patients with sporadic colorectal adenomas, and 12 controls.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001, p<0.01, p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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