The alteration of prostaglandin E2 levels in patients with brain tumors before and after tumor removal.
BACKGROUND
Both experimental and human tumors often synthesize high levels of prostaglandins, most notably prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). This compound may play an important role in tumor growth and immunosuppression. Little is known of the production of PGE2 by brain tumors. The present study was designed to investigate the levels of PGE2 in the plasma of human brain tumors before and after tumor removal.


METHODS
The plasma PGE2 levels of brain tumors before and after tumor removal were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).


RESULTS
There is a significantly high concentration of PGE2 in malignant brain tumor before tumor removal. Significantly decrease of PGE2 concentration after total removal of the tumor was found both in the malignant and benign brain tumor groups (P = 0.0001 and P = 0.0039 respectively). However, compared to the control group, only malignant brain tumor showed a significant decrease of PGE2 concentration after tumor removal (P = 0.0009).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study demonstrates the malignant brain tumor synthesized higher relative proportions of PGE2 and surgical removal of the brain tumor can reduce the production of PGE2.
Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Taiwan, ROC.
Joon-Khim
JK
Loh
Shiuh-Lin
SL
Hwang
Ann-Shung
AS
Lieu
Tzuu-Yuan
TY
Huang
Shen-Long
SL
Howng
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012016:Reference Values; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D015232:Dinoprostone