Decreased levels of mucosal detoxification enzymes in the pouch of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.

Contains fulltext : 51005.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)BACKGROUND: Adenomas can develop in the pouch after colectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) have a protective role in carcinogenesis. GST activity is much higher in the ileum than in the colon. The present study examined the hypothesis that the protective capacity of GSTs may be lowered as a result of colonic metaplasia of the ileal pouch. METHODS: Levels of GSTs, glutathione and cysteine, and the degree of inflammation and colonic metaplasia were quantified in biopsies from the pouch and afferent loop of 26 patients with FAP. RESULTS: GST enzyme activity, and levels of GST alpha, glutathione and cysteine in the pouch were significantly lower than those in the afferent loop (308 versus 398 nmol per min per mg protein (P