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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 7, 2005; 11(45): 7174-7178
Published online Dec 7, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i45.7174
Retinol-binding protein, acute phase reactants and Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma
Νicolas Tsavaris, Christos Kosmas, Petros Kopterides, Dimitrios Tsikalakis, Hlias Skopelitis, Fotini Sakelaridi, Nikitas Papadoniou, Michalis Tzivras, Vasilios Balatsos, Christos Koufos, Αthanasios Archimandritis
Νicolas Tsavaris, Petros Kopterides, Hlias Skopelitis, Christos Koufos, Department of Pathophysiology, Oncology Unit, “Laiko” University Hospital, University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens 11527, Greece
Fotini Sakelaridi, Department of Pathophysiology, Biochemistry Laboratory, “Laiko” University Hospital, University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens 11527, Greece
Michalis Tzivras, Αthanasios Archimandritis, Department of Pathophysiology, Gastroenterology Unit, “Laiko” University Hospital, University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens 11527, Greece
Christos Kosmas, 2nd Department of Oncology, “Metaxa” Hospital, Piraeus 185 37, Greece
Dimitrios Tsikalakis, Biochemistry Laboratory, “Metaxa” Hospital, Piraeus 185 37, Greece
Nikitas Papadoniou, Department of Gastroenterology, “A. Papandreou” General Hospital of Rhodes, Rhodes 85100, Greece
Vasilios Balatsos, Department of Gastroenterology, “A. Papandreou” General Hospital of Athens, Mesogion 154, Athens 11527, Greece
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr Petros Kopterides, 28-30 Korai Street, Nea Ionia - Athens 14233, Greece. petkop@ath.forthnet.gr
Telephone: +30-210-2759863 Fax: +30-210-2855476
Received: March 1, 2005
Revised: April 1, 2005
Accepted: April 2, 2005
Published online: December 7, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To determine the serum levels of c-reactive protein (CRP), transferrin (TRF), a2-macroglobulin (A2M), ceruloplasmin (CER), a1-acid glycoprotein (AAG), pre-albumin (P-ALB) and retinol-binding protein (RBP) in gastric carcinoma patients and to explore their possible correlation with underlying Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection.

METHODS: We measured the serum levels of CRP, TRF, A2M, CER, AAG, P-ALB, and RBP in 153 preoperative patients (93 males; mean age: 63.1±11.3 years) with non-cardia gastric adenocarcinoma and 19 healthy subjects.

RESULTS: The levels of CRP, CER, RBP, and AAG in cancer patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (P<0.0001), while no difference was found regarding the TRF, P-ALB, and A2M levels. Cancer patients with H pylori infection had significantly lower RBP values compared to non-infected ones (P<0.0001) and also higher values of CRP and AAG (P = 0.09 and P = 0.08, respectively).

CONCLUSION: High serum levels of CRP, CER and AAG in cancer patients do not seem to be related to H pylori infection. Retinol-binding protein seems to discriminate between infected and non-infected patients with gastric carcinoma. Further studies are needed to explore if it is directly involved in the pathogenesis of the disease or is merely an epiphenomenon.

Keywords: Gastric cancer, Helicobacter pylori, Acute phase reactants, A1-acid glycoprotein, Transferrin, A2-macroglobulin, Ceruloplasmin, Retinol-binding protein, Pre-albumin, c-reactive protein