Abstract
Background and Study Aims Thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) is a redox protein that is considered to play a role
in tumor progression. The purpose of this study was to assess the expression of TrxR
in blood and tumor samples of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients.
Patients TrxR levels were evaluated in blood and GBM tissues extracted from 27 patients, in
normal brain tissues of 12 autopsy cases, and in blood samples of 12 healthy subjects.
The results were compared between tumor and control groups.
Results The mean level of TrxR in GBM tissues (74.5 ± 14.9 U/g wet tissue) was remarkably
higher than in normal brain tissues (14.8 ± 3.4 U/g wet tissue). The mean TrxR levels
in blood were significantly higher in GBM patients (296.3 ± 43.6 U/mL) than in the
controls (203.0 ± 11.3 U/mL).
Conclusions These findings suggest that high levels of TrxR may be related to progression of
GBM.
Keywords
brain tumors - glioblastoma multiforme - thioredoxin reductase