Apoptosis is reduced in the colonic mucosa of patients with acromegaly

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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
09:18

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death

Published on: December 27, 2016

Fausto Bogazzi1, Dania Russo, Maria Teresa Locci

  • 1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. f.bogazzi@endoc.med.unipi.it

Clinical Endocrinology
|December 14, 2005
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Patients with active acromegaly show reduced apoptosis in colon cells, a condition reversed upon treatment. This suggests decreased apoptosis may be an early step in colon tumor development for acromegaly patients.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Acromegaly increases colon tumor risk, with reduced apoptosis a suspected mechanism.
  • While growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) reduce apoptosis in cell lines, its role in acromegaly patients' colonic mucosa was unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate apoptosis levels in colonic mucosa from acromegaly patients.
  • To investigate the relationship between apoptosis, disease activity, and relevant molecular markers.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study involving 11 untreated acromegaly patients, 16 in remission, and 23 controls.
  • Colonic mucosa samples collected during colonoscopy.
  • Apoptosis assessed via DNA fragmentation or terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase assay; PPARgamma and Bax expression analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Significantly reduced apoptosis (39.0%) in untreated acromegaly patients compared to controls (60.0%) and those in remission (62.0%).
  • Apoptosis inversely correlated with serum IGF-1 and GH levels.
  • Lower PPARgamma expression and reduced anti-apoptotic Bax protein observed in untreated patients.

Conclusions:

  • Untreated acromegaly patients exhibit reduced colonic mucosal apoptosis, which normalizes after treatment.
  • Decreased apoptosis may be an early event in colonic tumorigenesis associated with acromegaly.

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