Expression of Glutathione S-Transferase Activity and Glutathione Content in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Bladder Associated with Schistosomiasis in a Population in Egypt

The present study was designed to describe the expression of the glutathione S-transferase/glutathione system in squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder in a population in Egypt. The glutathione-S transferase activity was significantly higher in bladder cancer specimens (n = 40) in comparison with schistosomiasis cystitis tissue (n = 42) (4-fold, p = 1 × 10-12) and with healthy control samples (n = 9) (10-fold, p = 1 × 10-6). The glutathione content was also significantly higher in bladder cancer than in cystitis tissue (2-fold, p = 8 × 10-6) and in control samples (6-fold, 8 × 10-6). When control mucosa and cystitis samples were compared, 2-fold increased values were obtained for glutathione-S transferase (p = 4 × 10-3) and glutathione (p = 1 × 10-3) in schistosomiasis bladder tissue. Results describe an over-expression of glutathione-S transferase and glutathione levels in squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder, and indicate a possible role in chemoresistance to pharmacological therapy.