OBJECTIVETo explore different expressions of serum proteins among different Chinese medical syndrome types of primary liver cancer (PLC) in the perioperative period of interventional treatment, and to explore its significance.

METHODSTotally 154 PLC patients were assigned to Gan depression syndrome (GDS, 37 cases), Pi deficiency syndrome (PDS, 45 cases), dampness heat syndrome (DHS, 18 cases), blood stasis syndrome (BSS, 28 cases), and yin deficiency syndrome (YDS, 26 cases). The mass spectra of serum proteins were analyzed by using surface enhanced laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS). By combining the features of Chinese medical syndromes, the different expressions of serum proteins among different Chinese medical syndrome types of PLC in the perioperative period of interventional treatment were explored.

RESULTSOne week before interventional treatment, there was statistical difference in the expression of serum protein peak with mass-to-charge ratio (M/Z) being 3,392, 4,970, 5,911, 6,200, and 8,575 Da (P <0.05, P < 0.01). The aforesaid differentially expressed protein peaks occurred simultaneously in PDS and BSS. One week after interventional treatment, the expression of the serum protein peak was down-regulated in YDS syndrome with M/Z being 8,575 Da, showing statistical difference (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONDifferent peaks of serum proteins occurred in different Chinese medical syndrome types of PLC in the perioperative period of interventional treatment.