Abstract:
Objective To investigate the correlation between lipid metabolism and gastric cancer.
Methods In total, 1, 072 patients with gastric cancer treated at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from March 2016 to June 2017 were enrolled, and 1, 084 healthy subjects were included as controls. Using univariate and multivariate analyses, the correlation between lipid metabolism and gastric cancer risk was examined; furthermore, clinicopathological characteristics, including serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, were assessed.
Results Serum TG and LDL levels were higher and HDL levels were lower in gastric cancer patients than in healthy controls. Furthermore, serum LDL levels were higher and HDL levels were lower in male gastric cancer patients than in healthy controls. Serum TG and LDL levels were higher and HDL levels were lower in female gastric cancer patients than in healthy controls (P < 0.05). In all gastric cancer patients, HDL and LDL levels were significantly correlated with gastric cancer risk. Moreover, in male patients, HDL and LDL levels were significantly correlated with gastric cancer risk. In female patients, TG, HDL, and LDL levels were significantly associated with gastric cancer risk. Among gastric cancer patients, elevated TG and TC levels were more common in patients with distal gastric cancer and an early disease stage. Decreased HDL levels were more common in patients with little differentiated/undifferentiated gastric cancer. Among male patients, increased TG levels were more common in patients with an early disease stage. Decreased HDL levels were more common in patients with little differentiated/undifferentiated gastric cancer. Among female patients, elevated TC levels were more common in early-stage cancer patients.
Conclusions Serum lipid levels were higher in gastric cancer patients than in healthy controls, and they correlated with gastric cancer risk. However, as gastric cancer progresses owing to increased tumor nutrient uptake and patient's reduced nutritional status, serum lipid levels gradually decrease.