OBJECTIVETo evaluate the mRNA and protein expressions of peroxiredoxin II (PrxII) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their significance.

METHODSHCC was induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in 6 tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis). The expression levels of PrxII mRNA and protein were detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot on HCC tissues and on their surrounding liver tissues (para-HCC). Biopsied liver tissues were taken before the HCC induction (pre-HCC) from the same animals and from a group of blank controlled animals that served as controls. Liver biopsy specimens from 18 cases of human HCC and from 17 healthy human volunteers were studied using the same methods.

RESULTSThe mRNA and protein expressions of PrxII in tree shrew HCC tissues were significantly higher than those in para-HCC and pre-HCC tissues, and also higher than those in the liver tissues from the control animals (all P < 0.05). The expression levels of PrxII mRNA and protein in human HCC tissues were also significantly higher than those in their para-HCC tissues and in the human normal liver tissues (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPrxII might play an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis and might be used as a molecular target for HCC prevention and treatment.

Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peroxiredoxins ; genetics ; Tupaiidae

Animals ; Glutathione Transferase ; biosynthesis ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The mechanical properties of tumor cells adhering to extracellular matrix (ECM) are closely related with their invasion and metastesis. In this study we investigated the adhesive mechanical properties between hepatocellular carcinoma cells(HCC) and the collagen I coated surfaces from the viewpoint of cell cycle by coupling cellular biology and cellular mechanics, using micropipette aspiration and cell synchronization technique. The results showed that the synchronous G1 and S phase HCC cells were achieved by use of thymine-2-desoryriboside, colchicines sequential blockage method and double thymine-2-desoryriboside blockage method, and that the synchronous rates of G1 and S phase HCC amounted to 74.09% and 90.39% respectively. Within the ranges of dosing and timing in this study, the adhesion of HCC cells to collagen I displayed dose dependent and time dependent patterns. S phase cells had small force of adhesion to collagen I as compared with G1 phase and controlled cells(P<0.001), which suggested that G1 phase HCC may play an important role in the step of invading interstitial connective tissue in the metastasis pathway of HCC through blood circulation. These are of significance to unveiling the mechanism of HCC metastasis.
Animals ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Cycle ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Rats ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVE: To observe the micromorphological changes of ultrastructure, apoptosis-related proteins expression and tumor cell apoptosis after ablation with the high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), and to explore the mechanisms responsible for the thermal and non-thermal effect.
 METHODS: Forty rabbits with hepatic VX2 tumors were randomly divided into a thermal group (n=20) and a non-thermal group (n=20), and were subjected to HIFU ablation with thermal or non-thermal condition, respectively. Five animals in each group were sacrificed on the 1st, 3rd, 7th or 14th day after the ablation. The changes of ultrastructure, apoptosis-related proteins expression and tumor cell apoptosis were detected.
 RESULTS: The results of transmission electron microscope (TEM) revealed more severe injury on tissue and cells in the non-thermal group than that in the thermal group. The changes of apoptosis-related proteins expression and tumor cell apoptosis in transient zone were significantly different in comparison with that in the ablated area or peripheral area between the two groups. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was at low level on the 1st and 3rd day and elevated gradually on the 7th and 14th day, with no significant difference (all P>0.05). The expression of caspase-3 reached peak on the 3rd day and decreased on the 7th and 14th day. It was significantly higher in the non-thermal group than that in the thermal group on the 3rd and 7th day (all P<0.05). The expression of NF-κB was elevated from the 3rd day and reached peak on the 7th day while decreased on the 14th day. There was no significant difference at every time point between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). The apoptosis index in the non-thermal group and the thermal group on the 3rd and 7th day were (28.60±1.14)% vs (21.80±1.92)% and (21.00±1.58)% vs (14.80±1.48)%, respectively. It was higher in the non-thermal group than that in the thermal group (both P<0.01).
 CONCLUSION Both the thermal and the non-thermal effect of HIFU can induce apoptosis in transient zone, but the latter have a stronger effect.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Neoplasms, Experimental ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Rabbits ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; enzymology ; prevention & control ; Quinolizines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Selenium ; pharmacology ; Telomerase ; metabolism ; Yeast, Dried ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the pharmacokinetics, distribution and excretion of m-THPC in rat models of liver cancer via orthotropic implantation using Walker-256.

METHODSAfter an intravenous injection of m-THPC with 0.3 mg/kg, the concentrations of m-THPC in biological specimens were determined by a fluorescence method. The data obtained were processed with PK-GRAPH pharmacokinetic procedure.

RESULTSThe disposition of m-THPC in rat models of liver cancer Walker-256 was conformed to a two compartment model with T(1/2)α = 1.18 h, T(1/2)β = 22.57 h at the dose of 0.3 mg/kg.m-THPC was shown to be widely distributed to the various tissues. There was a highest drug accumulation in liver and liver cancer, and lowest in skin and muscle. Ratio of m-THPC concentration in the Walker-256 tumor compared to normal tissue reach the peak 24 h after m-THPC administration.

CONCLUSIONSm-THPC is distributed widely and eliminated at a rapid rate in Walker-256 rats. Twenty four hours after m-THPC administration may be the best time for photodynamic therapy of liver cancer.

Animals ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; metabolism ; Male ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Organophosphorus Compounds ; pharmacokinetics ; Photosensitizing Agents ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tissue Distribution

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of the cytokines following stereotactic irradiation for hepatocarcinoma with cirrhosis in rabbits.

METHODSSixteen rabbits with liver cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma (experimental group) were randomized into two equal groups to receive stereotactic irradiation at single dose of 20 and 30 Gy, respectively. Eight rabbits with hepatocarcinoma (control group) were divided into two equal groups and treated in identical manner. All the rabbits were killed 3 weeks after irradiation, and EV two-step method was used to observe the cytokine changes of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-pi) after irradiation.

RESULTSAfter irradiation, PCNA and GST-pi expression showed significant difference in the adjacent liver tissue between the experimental and control rabbits with irradiation at 20 Gy (P=0.010), but not with the irradiation dose of 30 Gy (P=1.000). Irradiation at different doses resulted in significant difference in the cytokine expression in the experimental rabbits (P=0.010). In the liver tissue exposed to irradiation, different irradiation doses resulted in significant difference in PCNA and GST-pi protein expression (P=0.010).

CONCLUSIONSFor hepatocarcinoma with cirrhosis in rabbits, radiation at the single dose of 30 Gy produces better response than 20 Gy, and PCNA and GST-pi may serve as good indexes for evaluating the therapeutic effect.

Animals ; Glutathione S-Transferase pi ; biosynthesis ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; metabolism ; radiotherapy ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; metabolism ; radiotherapy ; Male ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; biosynthesis ; Rabbits ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; Random Allocation

Mouse hepatoma H22 cells and sarcoma cells (H22 and S180) were infected with EGFP-N1 by electroblot, and the acquired gfp-H22 and gfp-S180 cells expressing strong green fluorescence protein (GFP) fluorescence were supplemented with medium G418 Sigma (800 mg/ml). Meanwhile, the models bearing cancer (gfp H22 and gfp S180) subcutaneously and with abdominal cavity were established. There were no statistically significant differences by comparison on the cell phenotype, ultramicrostructure, growth curve and bearing cancer time between the H22 cells and S180 cells (P>0.05). The GFP fluorescence was detected with whole body GFP imaging system in vivo and with fluorescence microscope. According to the results of in vitro and in vivo assay, it was shown that, by application of fluorescence technology, the GFP-expressing H22 cells and S180 cells could be used in further studies on the tumor biological behavior.
Animals ; Electroporation ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Sarcoma 180 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; methods ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo investigate the kinetic expression and alteration of nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) and its gene in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development.

METHODSA hepatoma model was established with N-(2-fluorenyl) acetamide (2-FAA) using male SD rats. Morphological changes and dynamic alterations of NF-kappaB and NF-kappaB mRNA of the rat livers at different stages of HCC development were observed by pathological examinations. The liver specimens from HCC patients were collected by self-control method. The expression of NF-kappaB was quantitatively analyzed by ELISA.

RESULTSHepatocytes showed vacuole-like denaturation, atypical hyperplasia, and transformation into highly differentiated cancerous hepatocytes with increasing tendencies of liver NF-kappaB and NF-kappaB mRNA expressions. The NF-kappaB positive material was granule-like and stained brown, with dot-nest-like staining localized in the nuclei and cytoplasm of HCC cells, but only in the cytoplasm of the cells of park cancer tissues. Its expression in HCC cells was stronger than that in their surrounding tissues (chi2 = 13.1, P less than 0.01). No positive relationship was found between NF-kappaB expression and histological grades, the number of tumors, or size of the tumors.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of NF-kappaB and its gene are associated with the development of HCC. To inhibit the expression may be useful to HCC therapy.

Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Enoyl-CoA Hydratase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Mice ; Plasmids ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection