Objective:
To determine the serum gastrin level, the expression of gastrin in colorectal carcinoma cells and observe the ultrastructure of gastrin secretory granule in colorectal carcinoma cells,in order to explore the relationship between gastrin and clinical behavior of colorectal carcinoma. Methods:The serum gastrin and gastrin expression in colorectal carcinoma tissues of the 53 cases were examined by using radio-immunity analysis(RIA), immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopic technique. Results:Compared with control group,the preoperative level of serum gastrin in colorectal group was significantly increased, especially in well-differentiation adenocarcinoma . In the tissue of colorectal carcinoma, the gastrin expression rate was 56.6%. The expression rate of well-differentiated adenocaroinoma was higher than that in moderate and poor differentiation adenocarcinoma. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that the granules of protein A-gold (PAG) could be seen in different electro-density secretion granules in carcinoma cells, in intercellular space and on the surface of membrane of microvillus.Conclusions:The level of serum gastrin and the expression of gastrin in cancer tissues in colorectal carcinoma patients are increased. The colorectal carcinoma cells may synthesize and secrete gastrin themselves, which may be correlated with clinical behavior of colorectal carcinoma.