Upregulation of COX-2/PGE2 and NF-κB in Colorectal Disease: Associations with H.pylori Seropositivity and Gastrin Signaling

Abstract

This study investigated the roles of Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB), and gastrin hormone in colorectal cancer pathogenesis and their potential associations with H. pylori infection. In a cross-sectional study of 40 patients with colorectal symptoms, serum gastrin and PGE2 levels were measured by the ELISA technique, H. pylori seropositivity was evaluated, and evaluated COX-2/NF-κB expression via immunohistochemistry. The results found: High median of gastrin (118 pg/mL) and PGE2 (174.5 pg/mL) and a high COX-2 expression of 47.5% and NF-kB levels of 27.5% and no association between H. pylori status and gastrin/PGE2 levels (p>0.05). Histologically, adenocarcinoma (27.5) and inflammatory conditions (15) prevailed. These findings indicate that COX-2/PGE2 and NF-kB signaling is increased in colorectal disease without considering the H. pylori, and NF-kB signaling is associated with inflammatory biomarkers and gastrin receptor expression. The results show possible disease stratification and therapeutic targeting of biomarker patterns