Enkephalins in large bowel malignancy and in acute appendicitis.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Neuroendocrinology
• Oncology

Background:

• Opioid peptides, including leucine and methionine enkephalins, play roles in various physiological processes.
• Alterations in enkephalin levels may be associated with gastrointestinal pathologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the levels of leucine and methionine enkephalins in normal and cancerous colon tissues, as well as in normal and inflamed appendix.
• To determine if enkephalin levels differ in adenocarcinoma of the colon and carcinoma of the caecum.

Main Methods:

• Biological assay was used to measure leucine and methionine enkephalin concentrations.
• Samples analyzed included normal colon, adenocarcinoma of the colon, carcinoma of the caecum, normal appendix, and inflamed appendix.

Main Results:

• Methionine enkephalin levels were significantly higher in colon adenocarcinomas and inflamed appendices compared to normal controls.
• Leucine enkephalin levels did not show significant changes across the studied conditions.
• Anaplastic caecal tumors exhibited no detectable opioid activity.

Conclusions:

• Methionine enkephalin may serve as a potential biomarker for colon adenocarcinoma and appendiceal inflammation.
• The absence of opioid activity in anaplastic caecal tumors warrants further investigation.