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Cyclooxygenase‐2 mRNA is up‐regulated in cirrhotic or chronic hepatitis liver adjacent to hepatocellular carcinoma
Author(s) -
Morinaga Soichiro,
Yamamoto Yuji,
Noguchi Yoshikazu,
Imada Toshio,
Rino Yasushi,
Akaike Makoto,
Sugimasa Yukio,
Takemiya Shoji,
Kameda Yoichi,
Takanashi Yoshinori
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1746.2002.02836.x
Subject(s) - hepatocellular carcinoma , medicine , immunohistochemistry , cyclooxygenase , messenger rna , carcinogenesis , pathology , hepatitis c , reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction , real time polymerase chain reaction , hepatitis , cancer , biology , enzyme , gene , biochemistry
Background and Aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unique in that its carcinogenesis is related to inflammatory changes and regenerative activities in the background liver. Although there are some data on cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 expression in HCC by immunohistochemical studies, little is known about the possible role of COX‐2 in inducing hepatitis and/or carcinoma. To elucidate whether COX‐2 is involved in a part of these processes, we attempted to examine COX‐2 mRNA both in the adjacent non‐tumoral liver and in HCC. Methods: Twenty‐two matched sets of adjacent liver and HCC specimens were analyzed for COX‐2 mRNA expression using a real‐time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cyclooxygenase‐2 protein expression was also determined by immunohistochemistry. Results: Cyclooxygenase‐2 mRNA expression was significantly higher in the adjacent liver than in HCC ( P = 0.016). Cyclooxygenase‐2 mRNA expression in adjacent liver tissues was positively correlated with the modified histological activity index scores ( r = 0.575, P = 0.006), the serum alanine aminotransferase levels ( r = 0.536, P = 0.010), and the Ki‐67 labeling indices ( r = 0.698, P = 0.001). In contrast, COX‐2 mRNA expression in HCC was not correlated with any of the clinicopathological features. Conclusions: Cyclooxygenase‐2 is expressed at higher levels in the adjacent liver than in HCC, and it may be associated with high levels of necroinflammation and regeneration in the background liver. Conversely, COX‐2 may have a lesser role in the progression of HCC.