title: Correlation between ganglioside distribution and histological grading of human astrocytomas.
abstract: Changes in membrane lipid content and composition have been repeatedly detected in experimentally induced as well as spontaneous tumors. Previous data on ganglioside analysis in human astrocytomas suggested a possible correlation between their content and pattern and the histological grading of these tumors. In our study we could definitely prove this correlation: in fact the level of malignancy, passing from grade I to grade IV, is associated with a statistically significant increase of a ganglioside identified as ganglioside GD3. Another important modification in the ganglioside pattern of human astrocytomas is the decrease in polysialylated species with increasing level of malignancy.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000032:analysis / Q000473:pathology*; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005732:Gangliosides; D008563:Membrane Lipids; C026226:ganglioside, GD3; D004247:DNA; D009439:Neuraminidase