Associations of cholesterol and vitamin D metabolites with the risk for development of high grade colorectal cancer

Sandra Vladimirov, Aleksandra Zeljkovic*, Tamara Gojkovic, Milica Miljkovic, Aleksandra Stefanovic, Dejan Zeljkovic, Bratislav Trifunovic, Vesna Spasojevic-Kalimanovska

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is repeatedly reported in colorectal cancer (CRC). Since cholesterol and vitamin D share common precursor 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC), it would be important to explore the associations of key vitamin D metabolites and serum lipid parameters in patients with high and low grade CRC. The aim of this study was to analyze relationships between serum 25(OH)D3, 24,25(OH)2D3 and 7-DHC levels and serum lipids in patients with CRC, and to evaluate their potential for prediction of risk for development of high grade CRC. We recruited 82 patients CRC and 77 controls. 7-DHC, 25(OH)D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3 were quantified by LC-MS/MS methods. 7-DHC, 25(OH)D3 and vitamin D metabolic ratio (VDMR) were significantly lower in CRC patients than in control group (P<0.001, P<0.010, P<0.050 and P<0.050, respectively). 25(OH)D3 levels were higher in patients with grade I CRC when compared to grade II (P<0.050). All vitamin D metabolites positively correlated with total cholesterol (TC) concentration in CRC patients. 25(OH)D3 was significant predictor of increased CRC risk (P<0.010). After adjustment for TC concentration, 25(OH)D3 lost its predictive abilities. However, 25(OH)D3 remained significant predictor of poorly differentiated type of cancer (P<0.050). We found significant positive association between vitamin D status and serum total cholesterol. Although low 25(OH)D3 was found to be a significant risk factor for CRC development, the obtained results primarily suggest profound impact of cholesterol level on vitamin D status in CRC. However, our results suggest that low 25(OH)D3 might independently contribute to development of poorly differentiated tumor.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)318-327
JournalJournal of Medical Biochemistry
Volume39
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Sept 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D
  • 7-dehydrocholesterol
  • colorectal cancer
  • total cholesterol

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