Catalase immunoexpression in colorectal lesions

INTRODUCTION: It is generally accepted that the gastrointestinal tract, and especially the colon, is constantly exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) that may be responsible for the appearance of genetic mutations. To keep a steady-state control over ROS production-detoxification, organisms have evolved a defensive system. Nevertheless, many reports have described decreased level of antioxidant enzymes, especially catalase (CAT), in cancer tissues. AIM: In this work we try to assess the immunohistochemical expression of CAT protein in colorectal adenoma and adenocarcinoma samples. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was performed on resected specimens obtained from 122 patients who had undergone surgical resection for colorectal cancer, and from 120 patients who had undergone colonoscopy. Paraffin- embedded, 4 µm-thick tissue sections were stained for rabbit polyclonal anti CAT antibody obtained from GeneTex (cat. no. GTX110704). RESULTS: = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Development of colorectal cancer is associated with increased expression of CAT in the stage of adenoma and decreased expression in the stage of adenocarcinoma.