A STUDY ON GLUCURONIDE;SULFATE AND GLUTATHIONE SYSTEMS IN:BLADDER CANCER TISSUES

Abstract

Several aetiological factors have been associated with induction bladder cancer e.g., smoking, bacterial infection, bladder stones and schistosomes. However,it seems that chemical carcinogens either environmentally derived and/or occupationally exposed play t'he major

role for the induction of this tumour. Most of these carcinogens are detoxified mainly in the liver by phase II drug metabolizing enzymes such as UDPGT, ST and GST. However, little is known about the potential role of conjugation/deconjugation mechanisms of sulfate and glucuronide systems in bilharzia! or non-bilharzia! bladder cancer. Therefore, the present work was undertaken to investigate the possible role of glucuronide system (UDPGT/ -Glase) and sulfate system (ST/ASA) in addition to GST and GSH in the initiation and progression of either bilharzia! or non-bilharzia! bladder cancer. To approach the aim of the present work the enzymatic activity ofUDPGT, -Glase, ST, ASA and GST, in addition to GSH content were measured in bilhazial and non­ bilharzia tumoural and the adjacent urinary bladder tissues (1 em and 5 em away from the tumour). Histopathological studies w.ere also carried in order to correlate biochemical changes with histopathological changes.