Open AccessRaised endothelin 1 levels in patients with colorectal liver metastases
Author(s) -
Shankar A.,
Loizidou M.,
Aliev G.,
Fredericks S.,
Holt D.,
Boulos P. B.,
Burnstock G.,
Taylor I.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
british journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.202
H-Index - 201
eISSN - 1365-2168
pISSN - 0007-1323
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2168.1998.00660.x
Subject(s) - medicine , colorectal cancer , angiogenesis , radioimmunoassay , endothelin 1 , endothelin receptor , vascular endothelial growth factor , metastasis , pathology , gastroenterology , cancer , vegf receptors , receptor
Background Endothelin 1 (ET‐1), a vasoconstrictor peptide, has been implicated as a tumour growth stimulator and an angiogenesis factor. Methods To assess the involvement of ET‐1 in colorectal cancer, immunoelectron microscopy for ET‐1 was performed in colorectal liver metastases and normal liver ( n = 6). ET‐1 plasma levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in patients with colorectal cancer, with ( n = 18) and without ( n = 12) liver metastases, and in controls ( n = 22). Results In normal liver, ET‐1 was present in endothelial cells; in tumour, it was observed in endothelial cells, tumour cells and myofibroblasts. Mean(s.d.) plasma ET‐1 levels were 2·75 (1·37) pg/ml in controls, 4·53(1·61) pg/ml in patients with colorectal liver metastases ( P = 0·001) and 3·92(1·32) pg/ml in patients without metastases ( P = 0·02). Conclusion ET‐1 was present in various cell types within colorectal liver metastases and raised levels were found in the plasma of patients with colorectal cancer. ET‐1 may not only modulate tumour vascular tone but also act on tumour growth and angiogenesis, both locally and systemically. © 1998 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd