Background: Both experimental and human tumors often synthesize high levels of prostaglandins, most notably prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). This compound may play an important role in tumor growth and immunosuppression. Little is known of the production of PGE2 by brain tumors. The present study was designed to investigate the levels of PGE2 in the plasma of human brain tumors before and after tumor removal.
Methods: The plasma PGE2 levels of brain tumors before and after tumor removal were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Results: There is a significantly high concentration of PGE2 in malignant brain tumor before tumor removal. Significantly decrease of PGE2 concentration after total removal of the tumor was found both in the malignant and benign brain tumor groups (P = 0.0001 and P = 0.0039 respectively). However, compared to the control group, only malignant brain tumor showed a significant decrease of PGE2 concentration after tumor removal (P = 0.0009).
Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the malignant brain tumor synthesized higher relative proportions of PGE2 and surgical removal of the brain tumor can reduce the production of PGE2.