Background: Several recent reports have suggested a connection between the GABA-ergic system and neoplastic processes. It has been confirmed that both GABA content and GAD activity, are increased in neoplastic tissues in colon and breast cancer. In the light of the theory of dynamic balance between stimulating and inhibitory amino acids, disturbances in GABA metabolism may be an expression of the cell's defensive response to the neoplastic process. The aim of the present study was to evaluate GABA content and GAD activity in the tissue from gastric cancer and in the macroscopically unchanged wall of the stomach.
Material and methods: GABA content and GAD activity were evaluated in tissue material obtained from 34 patients operated for gastric cancer. GABA and GAD levels were determined in neoplastic tissue and surrounding unchanged tissue by spectrofluorometric method.
Results: The investigations revealed that the GABA content and GAD activity were significantly higher in the neoplastic tissue in comparison to the unchanged tissue of the stomach.
Conclusion: The results obtained, together with reports from the literature, suggest the possibility of introducing GABA-ergic system agonists into adjuvant therapy in gastric cancer.