[Correlations of expressions of Glut1 and HIF-1alpha to cellular proliferation of colorectal adenocarcinoma].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Malignant cells exhibit increased glucose metabolism and microenvironment hypoxia. Glucose transporter-1 (Glut1) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1alpha) enhance glucose metabolism under hypoxia. This study was to investigate the expressions of Glut1 and HIF-1alpha in colorectal adenocarcinoma, and explore their correlations to cell proliferation.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry was used to detect expressions of Glut1, HIF-1alpha, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in 60 specimens of colorectal adenocarcinoma and 20 specimens of normal colorectal tissues. Their interrelations were analyzed.

RESULTS

Positive rates of Glut1 and HIF-1alpha were significantly higher in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues than in normal colorectal tissues (58.3% vs. 0, P < 0.01; 73.3% vs. 0, P < 0.01). PCNA level was significantly higher in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues than in normal colorectal tissues (65.25+/-16.35 vs. 15.20+/-3.47, P < 0.01). Glut1 and HIF-1alpha levels were positively correlated with PCNA level (r(1)=0.409, P < 0.01; r(2)=0.323, P < 0.05), and were associated with Dukes' stage and lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

The overexpressions of Glut1 and HIF-1alpha play important roles in carcinogenesis and progression of colorectal adenocarcinoma, and closely correlate with cell proliferation of colorectal adenocarcinoma.