Born December 28, 1955, died November 3, 2004.
In the premature death of John Paterson, the Dumfries biochemist, Scotland has lost a dedicated and talented physician and scientist, known both locally and nationally. He was particularly associated with pioneering research into salicylic acid otherwise known as “nature’s aspirin”. Born in Stirlingshire, John trained initially in pharmacy graduating with a first-class honours from Robert Gordon’s College in Aberdeen, in 1977. Three years of study into the metabolism of antithyroid drugs resulted in a PhD at Strathclyde University, followed by MBChB from Dundee in 1985. Following appointments at hospitals in Dundee and Newcastle, he became a senior registrar at Glasgow Royal Infirmary in 1990. John’s extremely active and innovative research mind began to mature when he was still working in Glasgow. His work there covered lipids, diabetes and the development of assays for activity of free radicals, and these same themes he brought with him to Dumfries.
Early work in Dumfries on lipid peroxidation led him to consider whether a widely used drug – aspirin – might be used to measure an individual’s oxidative stress. It was in developing assays to take these thoughts forward that he discovered that salicylic acid, the active metabolite of aspirin, was present in all normal subjects and patients, even if they had not taken aspirin in the previous weeks and months. Realisation of the protean nature of the compound in the animal as well as plant kingdom – John measured it in species as diverse as garlic and gorilla – led to consideration of its potential role in animal life.
Knowing that salicylic acid plays a fundamental role in cell defence mechanisms in plants, John wondered about its possible protective role in human disease, especially cancer. His work showed that a major part of the variability in salicylic acid concentrations was attributable to the nature of the diet, with higher levels in vegetarians overlapping those of patients taking low-dose Aspirin. In a publication in the Quarterly Journal of Medicine, John proposed that salicylic acid was a micronutrient of pivotal importance in the dietary prevention of colon cancer. This hypothesis has subsequently received support from clinical trials demonstrating the efficacy of Aspirin in protecting patients with large bowel polyps who are at enhanced risk of colon cancer.
John and his postgraduate students, as well as confirming higher salicylic acid level in serum from the vegetarian patients, also demonstrated that soups prepared from organically grown vegetables had a greater salicylic acid content than those without “organic” pedigree. There is an acceptance that vegetarians do indeed have higher serum levels of this “natural Aspirin”, but John was, all the while, developing a hypothesis that the role of salicylic acid went further. The universality of the compound in all the serum he tested and its prime place as an anti-inflammatory/apoptotic defence compound in plants, led him to think and subsequently demonstrate that salicylic acid is synthesised in vivo.
John Paterson was an active promoter of research in Dumfries and Galloway and a great mentor to many local researchers. His wonderful inquiring mind and open personality also commanded the respect of many other scientists from the UK and abroad. It was, however, John’s work as a clinical specialist and outpatient practitioner that led to his pivotal position in local medical services. Soon after appointment, he became a vital aid to clinical colleagues of all grades in Dumfries Infirmary and a particularly welcome figure when he appeared on the wards to offer, usually in a very diplomatic way, what was often extremely timely advice. The perceptive comments he added to the biochemical results reported to local surgeries were rapidly recognised as hugely valuable to colleagues in general practice.
John was a bibliophile with many interests outside of medicine, as shown by the wide-ranging turn of conversation when friends or colleagues dropped into his office to partake of his excellent coffee. He particularly relished Scots verse and thus couldn’t, living in Dumfries, escape from becoming a member of the Dumfries Burns Club as well as the Burns Howff Club of Dumfries. While he relished these meetings, he freely admitted that he enjoyed even more contributing to the much more homely but hugely successful Glencaple village family Burns suppers.
John’s early exposure to the countryside around Denny also fostered an interest in outdoor pursuits. He later became an acknowledged performer with rod and gun and, even when his health was failing, found consolation in ventures into the remotest parts of Scotland, where his fishing led him. His favourite spots ranged from the River Forss in Caithness to the hill lochs of Uist and Galloway. He is survived by his wife Janet, son Ross (now a general practitioner) and daughters Claire and Sarah (both nurses).
Obituary adapted with kind permission from The Glasgow Herald – 13th December 2004.