Alteration of urinary profiles of endogenous steroids and polyunsaturated fatty acids in thyroid cancer

• Published in: Cancer letters 2003-12, Vol.202 (2), p.173-179
• Main Authors: Kim, Kyung Mee, Jung, Byung Hwa, Lho, Dong-Seok, Chung, Woung Youn, Paeng, Ki-Jung, Chung, Bong Chul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antineoplastic agents; Biological and medical sciences; Chromatography, Gas; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated - urine; Female; Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry; Hormones; Humans; Mass Spectrometry; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Polyunsaturated fatty acids; Steroids; Steroids - urine; Steroids profile; Studies; Thyroid cancer; Thyroid Neoplasms - urine; Tumors
• ISSN: 0304-3835; 1872-7980
• DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2003.08.002

To explore the possible involvement of a relationship between steroids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in thyroid cancer, we studied the concentration levels of 21 endogenous urinary androgens and glucocorticoids, and 6 urinary PUFAs in female patients with thyroid cancer ( n=29, 49.4±12.6 years) and in normal female subjects ( n=20, 48.3±11.9 years). Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in selected ion-monitoring mode, we performed quantification of androgens, glucocorticoids, and PUFAs. In the case of the urinary androgens and the glucocorticoids, the concentration of androgens was not altered between patients with thyroid cancer and normal controls. However, the concentration of glucocorticoid significantly decreased in patients with thyroid cancer compared to that of the normal controls. Also, in case of urinary PUFAs, the precursor of cholesterol, the concentration of linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were decreased in patient with thyroid cancer ( P