Association of adiponectin receptor (Adipo-R1/-R2) expression and colorectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Human adiponectin (ApN) is a 30 kDa glycoprotein of 244-amino acids which is extensively produced by adipocytes. ApN acts via two receptors, namely adiponectin receptor-1 (Adipo-R1) and adiponectin receptor-2 (Adipo-R2). Studies have shown the presence of Adipo-R1 and Adipo-R2 expression immunohistochemically in human colorectal cancers (CRCs). However, only a few studies exist which investigated effects of adiponectin receptor expression on CRC characteristics.

OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we aimed to explore Adipo-R1/-R2 expression in human colorectal cancers and any association with clinicopathological characteristics and survival.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study enrolled 58 colorectal cancer patients with tumor resection and a control group of 30 subjects with normal colon mucosa.

RESULTS: Positivity for Adipo-R1/-R2 expression was significantly more common in the control group in comparison to the patient group (both p<0.001). There was no significant association between Adipo-R1/-R2 expression and clinicopathological characteristics including age, sex tumor location, pTNM stage, Duke's stage, metastasis, histological differentiation, perineural invasion, venous invasion sex, lymphatic invasion, cancer-related mortality, tumor size and recurrence. Adipo- R1/-R2 positivity was also not significantly linked to progression-free or overall survival [p values (0.871, 0.758 ) and (0.274, 0.232), respectively].

CONCLUSIONS: Although significantly reduced Adipo-R1/-R2 expression was found in colorectal cancer patients, it had no influence on survival.