BMC Gastroenterology (Aug 2020)

Analysis of β-catenin association with obesity in African Americans with premalignant and malignant colorectal lesions

  • Babak Shokrani,
  • Hassan Brim,
  • Tahmineh Hydari,
  • Ali Afsari,
  • Edward Lee,
  • Mehdi Nouraie,
  • Zaki Sherif,
  • Hassan Ashktorab

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-020-01412-x
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 20, no. 1
pp. 1 – 8

Abstract

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Abstract Background African Americans (AA) are at high risk for Colorectal Cancer (CRC). Studies report a 30–60% increase in CRC risk with physical inactivity, obesity and metabolic syndrome. Activation of the WNT/β-catenin (CTNNB1) signaling pathway plays a critical role in colorectal carcinogenesis. Accumulating evidence also indicates a role of WNT-CTNNB1 signaling in obesity and metabolic diseases. Aim To examine the association between obesity, β-Catenin expression and colonic lesions in African Americans. Methods We reviewed the pathology records of 152 colorectal specimens from 2010 to 2012 (46 CRCs, 74 advanced adenomas and 32 normal colon tissues). Tissue Microarrays (TMA) were constructed from these samples. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for CTNNB1 (β-Catenin; clone β-Catenin-1) was performed on the constructed TMAs. The IHC results were evaluated by 2 pathologists and the nuclear intensity staining was scored from 0 to 4. BMI, sex, age, location of the lesion and other demographic data were obtained. Results Positive nuclear staining in normal, advanced adenoma and CRC was 0, 24 and 41%, respectively (P 25) did not show a significant difference in (p = 0.3) nuclear CTNNB1 staining (17% positive in normal weight vs. 27% positive in overweight/obese). The association between nuclear intensity and CRC was not different between normal and overweight patients (P for interaction = 0.6). The positive nuclear CTNNB1status in CRC stage III and IV (35% of all CRC) was not different from stage I and II (50% vs. 36%, respectively, P = 0.4). Conclusion In our study, advanced adenoma and CRC were associated with activation of β-catenin in physically fit, overweight and obese patients. Thus, obesity and WNT/β-Catenin pathway seem to be independent in African American patients. WNT/β-Catenin signaling pathway has a potential to be used as an effector in colon carcinogenic transformation. Whether or not BMI is a modifier of this pathway needs to be investigated further.

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