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

J Med Biochem. 2020 Sep 2;39(3):318-327. doi: 10.2478/jomb-2019-0047.

Abstract

Background: 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.

Methods: 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.

Results: 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).

Conclusions: 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.

Uvod: Deficijencija vitamina D je učestalo javlja kod obolelih od kolorektalnog karcinoma (CRC). Kako holesterol i vitamin D dele zajednički prekursor 7-dehidroholesterol (7-DHC), bilo bi značajno ispitati povezanost ključnih metabolita vitamin D i serumskih lipidnih parametara kod pacijenata sa CRC klasifikovanih na osnovu gradusa. U ovom radu ispitivali smo odnos između serumskih koncentracija 25(OH)D3, 24,25(OH)2D3 and 7-DHC i serumskih lipida kod pacijenata sa CRC, kao i doprinos metabolita vitamina D u predikciji rizika za nastanak CRC visokog gradusa.

Metode: U studiji su učestvovala 82 pacijenta sa CRC i 77 zdravih ispitanika. 7-DHC, 25(OH)D3 i 24,25(OH)2D3 su kvantifikovani pomoću metode LC-MS/MS.

Rezultati: 7-DHC, 25(OH)D3 i odnos metabolita vitamina D (VDMR) su bili značajno niži kod pacijenata sa CRC u odnosu na kontrolnu grupu (P<0,001, P<0,010, P<0,050 i P<0,050, redom). Koncentracije 25(OH)D3 su bile više kod pacijenata sa gradusom I u odnosu na pacijente sa gradusom II (P<0,050). Svi metaboliti vitamina D su pozitivno korelirali sa ukupnim holesterolom kod pacijenata sa CRC. 25(OH)D3 je bio značajan prediktor povećanog rizika za nastanak CRC (P<0,010). Nakon korekcije za koncentraciju ukupnog holesterola, 25(OH)D3 je izgubio prediktivni značaj. Međutim, 25(OH)D3 je ostao značajan prediktor slabo diferenciranog karcinoma (P<0,050).

Zaključak: Utvrđena je značajna pozitivna korelacija iz među statusa vitamina D i serumskih koncentracija ukupnog holesterola. Iako je uočeno da je nizak 25(OH)D3 značajan faktor rizika za razvoj CRC, naši rezultati upućuju na dominantan uticaj holesterola na status vitamina D kod ovih pacijenata. Ipak, uočeno je da niski nivoi 25(OH)D3 mogu nezavisno doprineti razvoju slabo diferentovanih oblika CRC.

Keywords: 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D; 25-hydroxyvitamin D; 7-dehydrocholesterol; colorectal cancer; total cholesterol.