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World J Gastroenterol. Nov 28, 2008; 14(44): 6835-6839
Published online Nov 28, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.6835
Micronucleus analysis in patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma and colorectal polyps
Ali Karaman, Doğan Nasır Binici, Mehmet Eşref Kabalar, Züleyha Çalıkuşu
Ali Karaman, Department of Medical Genetics, Erzurum Training and Research Hospital, Erzurum 25240, Turkey
Doğan Nasır Binici, Department of Internal Medicine, Erzurum Training and Research Hospital, Erzurum 25240, Turkey
Mehmet Eşref Kabalar, Department of Pathology, Erzurum Training and Research Hospital, Erzurum 25240, Turkey
Züleyha Çalıkuşu, Department of Medical Oncology, Erzurum Training and Research Hospital, Erzurum 25240, Turkey
Author contributions: Karaman A performed micronucleus analysis in the lymphocytes of all subjects, analyzed all of the data and wrote the article; Binici DN performed colonoscopic operations; Kabalar ME analyzed all biopsy materials; Çalıkuşu Z performed physical examinations.
Correspondence to: Ali Karaman, MD, Erzurum Training and Research Hospital, (Erzurum Numune Hastanesi) Department of Medical Genetics, Erzurum 25240, Turkey. alikaramandr@hotmail.com
Telephone: +90-442-2321139 Fax: +90-442-2321390
Received: September 23, 2008
Revised: November 11, 2008
Accepted: November 18, 2008
Published online: November 28, 2008
Abstract

AIM: To determine, by counting micronucleus (MN) frequencies, whether chromosomal or DNA damage have an effect on the pathogenesis of early colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC).

METHODS: We analyzed MN frequencies in 21 patients with CRC, 24 patients with colon polyps [10 neoplastic polyps (NP) and 14 non-neoplastic polyps (NNP)] and 20 normal controls.

RESULTS: MN frequency was significantly increased in CRC patients and in NP patients compared with controls (3.72 ± 1.34, 3.58 ± 1.21 vs 1.97 ± 0.81, P < 0.001). However, there was no difference in the MN frequency between CRC patients and NP patients (P > 0.05). Similarly, there was no difference in the MN frequency between NNP patients (2.06 ± 0.85) and controls (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Our results suggest increased chromosome/DNA instabilities may be associated with the pathogenesis of early CRC.

Keywords: Colorectal adenocarcinoma; Colon polyp; Micronucleus; Genetic instability