Affiliations: Department of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, KBC
Zagreb, Croatia | Karl-Franzens University, Graz, Austria | Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Kamelija Zarkovic, Medical Faculty,
KBC Zagreb, Department of Neuropathology, HR-10000, Kispaticeva 12, Zagreb,
Croatia. Tel.: +385 1 2388360; Fax: +385 1 2421906; E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: Gliomas are tumors originating from astrocytes, oligodendrocytes or
ependimal cells. Those of astrocytic origin are the most widespread of primary
brain tumors and account for more then 60% of all CNS neoplasms. The current state of knowledge on the associations between tumor
etiology and oxidative stress suggests that environmental factors that cause
oxidative stress could also induce and promote cancer, especially in case of
hereditary predisposition. Among mediators of oxidative stress, lipid
peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) is of particular relevance in
oncology, as it is known to act as a growth-regulating factor and a signaling
molecule. The aim of present study was to investigate by immunohistochemistry
the presence of HNE-modified proteins in different types of astrocytoma. Our
study comprised 45 astrocytic tumors. These tumors were graded in accordance
with the WHO classification as diffuse astrocytomas (DA), anaplastic
astrocytomas (AA) and glioblastomas (GB), while each group comprised 15 tumors.
Slides of paraffin-embedded tumor tissue were stained with hematoxylin-eosin or
were prepared for immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies to
HNE-histidine conjugate. Positive immunohistochemical reaction to HNE was
analyzed semi-quantitatively. HNE positivity was proportional with malignancy of astrocytomas. The
weakest presence of HNE-histidine adducts was found in DA, followed by AA and
GB. Lowest intensity of HNE immunopositivity was present in tumor cells of
almost all DA, predominantly around blood vessels. In malignant variants of
astrocytoma, AA and GB, HNE positivity was moderate to strong, and diffusely
distributed in all tumors.
