Influence of Cigarette Smoking on Prostaglandin Synthesis and Cyclooxygenase-2 Gene Expression in Human Urinary Bladder Cancer

Abstract

The present study examines the effect of tobacco smoking on the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 gene, COX enzymatic activity and prostaglandin (PG) synthesis in urothelial mucosal tissues from patients with bladder cancer and from normal individuals. The detection frequency of COX-2 mRNA was 2-fold higher in bladder cancer patients compared to controls and it was accompanied by a significantly increased COX enzymatic activity and PGE₂ synthesis (p<0.05). Smokers, in both control and patients groups, had higher COX-2 expression, COX activity, and PGE₂ synthesis compared to the nonsmokers (p<0.05). The number of cigarettes smoked in the cases, but not controls, correlated well with COX enzymatic activity (r=0.42, p=0.016). The observed over-expression of COX-2 gene in human urinary bladder and the concomitant increases in PG synthesis may explain, at least in part, the mechanism by which cigarette smoking influences the development of urothelial neoplasia.

• Smoking
• Cyclooxygenase
• Bladder cancer
• Prostaglandins

Notes

^*Badawi, A. F.; Habib, S. L.; Abadi, A. A.; Mohammed, M. A.; Michael, M. S. Influence of Schistosomiasis on Prostaglandin Synthesis and Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression in Human Urinary Bladder Cancer. Manuscript in preparation.