Comparison of the serum level of glycine N-methyl transferase (GNMT) enzyme in prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasi and healthy subjects

Elham  Esmaili; Fateme  Khalaj; Hamid  Shafee; Mohammad  Ranaee; Sohhrab  Halalkhor; Sadra Samavarchi  Tehrani

doi:10.18502/abi.v2i4.19110

Elham Esmaili Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
Fateme Khalaj Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
Hamid Shafee Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Clinical Research Development Center, Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
Mohammad Ranaee Department of Pathology, Rouhani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Science, Babol, Iran
Sohhrab Halalkhor Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
Sadra Samavarchi Tehrani Endocrine Research Center, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/abi.v2i4.19110

Keywords: Prostate Cancer, Glycine N-Methyltransferase, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Abstract

Objectives: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignancy in men and is associated with elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Recently, Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) has been recognized for its critical role in sarcosine production. Evidence suggests that serum GNMT levels fluctuate in various malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer, and gastric cancer. The current study evaluates serum GNMT levels in PCa, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and healthy subjects.

Methods: Serum samples were obtained from 85 adult males (29 PCa patients, 28 BPH patients, and 28 healthy participants) referred to Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Babol, and Shahid Hasheminejad Hospital, Tehran.

Results: Our findings revealed that PSA levels were significantly higher in the PCa group compared to BPH patients and healthy individuals. Additionally, PCa patients exhibited higher GNMT levels compared to BPH patients and healthy controls, though this difference was not statistically significant. Serum GNMT levels were positively correlated with age in the PCa group. In the BPH group, GNMT levels were significantly correlated with PSA concentrations.

Conclusion: Serum GNMT levels appear to be elevated in PCa patients; however, further research with a larger sample size is necessary to validate these findings