[Uridine diphosphate sugar in meningiomas of the brain]

The content of uridine-diphosphate (UDP)-saccharides, such as UDP-glucose (UDPG) and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDPAG) was examined in the meningiomas obtained at surgery. Typical, atypical, and anaplastic meningiomas were used. Biochemical data were compared with histological findings. The total level of UDP-saccharides (UDPG + UDPAG) in the meningiomas was demonstrated not to depend on the grade of anaplasia. A positive correlation was found between the UDPG/UDPAG ratio was from 1.73 in typical (benign) neoplasms to 6 or even higher in meningiomas with severe sings of malignancy (anaplastic meningiomas). The UDPG/UDPAG ratio seems to reflect the nature and rate of tumor growth.