Expression of Sigma-Class Glutathione-S-Transferase in Fetal and Pediatric Filum Terminale Samples: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background and objectives: The pathophysiology of tethered cord syndrome (TCS) in children is not well elucidated. An inelastic filum terminale (FT) is the main factor underlying the stretching of the spinal cord in TCS. Our study aimed to investigate the expression of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in children and fetal FT samples in order to understand the relationship between this enzyme expression and the development of TCS. Materials and Methods: FT samples were obtained from ten children with TCS (Group 1) and histological and immunohistochemical examinations were performed. For comparison, FT samples from fifteen normal human fetuses (Group 2) were also analyzed using the same techniques. Statistical comparison was made using a Chi-square test. Results: Positive GST-sigma expression was detected in eight (80%) of 10 samples in Group 1. The positive GST-sigma expression was less frequent in nine (60%) of 15 samples from Group 2. No statistically significant difference was detected between the two groups (p = 0.197). Conclusions: Decreased FT elasticity in TCS may be associated with increased GST expression in FT. More prospective studies are needed to clarify the mechanism of the GST–TCS relationship in children.