FIBRONECTIN AND SIALIC-ACID LEVELS IN HUMAN MENINGIOMAS AND GLIOMAS

In this study, fibronectin and sialic acid levels have been assayed in human meningiomas and gliomas. The mean fibronectin and sialic acid l evels for human meningiomas were 22.01 +/- 9.70 mu g/mg protein and 19 .58 +/- 4.89 mu g/mg protein, respectively, and for human gliomas were 27.30 +/- 13.70 mu g/mg protein and 25.67 +/- 11.60 mu g/mg protein, respectively, versus 9.23 +/- 5.40 mu g/mg protein and 13.50 +/- 4.30 mu g/mg protein for normal brain tissues. Fibronectin and sialic acid levels were significantly higher in human meningiomas (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05) and gliomas (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01) than control group. Also the mean fibronectin and sialic acid levels were found to be 18.27 +/- 7.08 mu g/mg protein and 17.04 +/- 6.25 mu g/mg protein in Grade I-II and 32.60 +/- 15.00 mu g/mg protein ad 29.50 +/- 11.60 mu g/mg protei n in Grade III-IV gliomas, respectively. Fibronectin and sialic acid l evels were significantly higher in Grade III-IV gliomas than Grade I-I I gliomas (P < 0.05).