Serum proteome changes in acromegalic patients following transsphenoidal surgery: novel biomarkers of disease activity.
BACKGROUND
Transsphenoidal adenomectomy is the primary treatment for acromegaly. However, assessment of the therapeutical outcome remains problematic since the existing biomarkers of disease activity frequently show discordant results.


OBJECTIVE
To discover novel serum biomarkers of disease activity in acromegalic patients before and after surgery.


METHODS
Serum samples of eight newly diagnosed acromegaly patients before and after transsphenoidal surgery were analyzed for proteomic changes by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Protein spots displaying statistically significant changes, pre- versus post-surgery, were identified by mass spectrometry (MS), tandem MS (MS/MS), and western blot analysis.


RESULTS
Six protein spots displaying decreased intensities after surgery were identified as transthyretin (two isoforms), haptoglobin α2, β-hemoglobin, and apolipoprotein A-1 (two isoforms). One protein spot, identified as complement C4B precursor, was increased after the surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Seven serum protein spots were differentially expressed following surgery in acromegalic patients. The identified proteins represent potential novel biomarkers to assess the effectiveness of surgical treatment in acromegalic individuals. Future studies will validate the use of the identified proteins as biomarkers of disease activity after medical treatment of acromegaly.
Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701, USA.
Diana
D
Cruz-Topete
Britt
B
Christensen
Lucila
L
Sackmann-Sala
Shigeru
S
Okada
Jens Otto L
JO
Jorgensen
John J
JJ
Kopchick
D000172:Acromegaly / Q000097:blood* / Q000601:surgery; D000236:Adenoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015153:Blotting, Western; D016208:Databases, Factual; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D005260:Female; D006242:Haptoglobins; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000601:surgery; D011228:Prealbumin; D020543:Proteome / Q000032:analysis*; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015415:Biomarkers; D006242:Haptoglobins; D011228:Prealbumin; D020543:Proteome; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I