Homocysteine in breast cyst fluid

¹Masaryk University Brno, Brno, Czech Republic, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czech Republic, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno, Czech Republic. tallaj@med.muni.cz

|July 17, 2001

Summary

Elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels in breast cyst fluid, compared to plasma, correlate with steroid hormones and may serve as a breast cancer marker.

Area of Science:

Background:

Elevated plasma homocysteine is linked to various carcinomas, including breast cancer.
Gross cystic breast disease is associated with increased breast cancer risk.
Breast cyst fluid contains unique substances like steroid hormones.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the presence and concentration of homocysteine in breast cyst fluid.
To compare homocysteine levels with other thiols, Na+/K+ ratio, and steroid hormones.
To explore potential clinical applications of homocysteine in breast cyst fluid.

Main Methods:

Analyzed cyst fluid from 14 women with gross cystic disease.
Quantified homocysteine, cysteine, cysteinylglycine, and glutathione using HPLC.
Measured estradiol, progesterone, allopregnanolone, and pregnenolone sulfate via RIA.

Main Results:

Mean concentrations of homocysteine, cysteine, cysteinylglycine, Na+/K+, estradiol, and pregnenolone sulfate were significantly higher in cyst fluid than plasma.
Found a negative correlation between cystic homocysteine and Na+/K+ ratio (Rs = -0.72, P = 0.003).
Observed positive correlations between cystic homocysteine and estradiol (Rs = 0.64, P = 0.018) and pregnenolone sulfate (Rs = 0.60, P = 0.025).

Conclusions:

This study presents the first evidence of thiol concentrations in breast cyst fluid.
The negative correlation between homocysteine and Na+/K+ ratio suggests a potential role for homocysteine.
Cystic homocysteine levels may serve as a clinical marker for breast cancer development.

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