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

Abstract

Abstract 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 < 0·001), 4604 versus 5286 ng per mg protein (P = 0·010), 27·1 versus 34·8 nmol per mg protein (P = 0·023) and 0 versus 4·8 nmol per mg protein (P = 0·009) respectively). No correlation was found between inflammation or colonic metaplasia of the pouch and GST enzyme activity in the pouch. Conclusion After IPAA, GST detoxification activity in the pouch is significantly lower than that in the afferent ileal loop, which may promote tumorigenesis.