Effects of nitric oxide on mitochondrial permeability transition and cytochrome C of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of nitric oxide on mitochondrial permeability and cytochrome C (cyt C) of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>NO-mediated apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines SMMC-7721 and HepG2 was investigated by flow cytometry. The growth and proliferation of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines SMMC-7721 and HepG2 were evaluted by MTT assay. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential was analyzed by flow cytometry with double staining of Rh123 and PI, and cytoplasmid cyt C was measured by Western blot. The cells were preincubate with cyclosporin A or GSH synthesis blocker BSO to explore their effect on the results of the above experiments.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) induced apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines SMMC-7721 and HepG2 and resulted in the decrease of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential and the increase of the amount of cytoplasmid cyt C in time-dependent manner. Cyclosporin A (CsA) specific inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore could partially prevent the decrease of delta psi m and the release of cyt C. In contrast, GSH synthesis blocker BSO promoted the decrease of delta psi m and the release of cyt C.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>NO may induce apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines SMMC-7721 and HepG2 by decreasing delta psi m, opening the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, and releasing the cyt C.</p>

Structural analysis of 22 full-length hepatitis B virus genomes isolated from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the characteristics of full-length Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) genomes isolated from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The full-length HBV genomes from the serum of HBsAg positive HCC patients were amplified by PCR, and then sequenced and analyzed its structure.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twenty-two full-length HBV DNAs were obtained from different patients of HCC. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all HBV strains could be categorized into genotype B or C and serotype adr or adw2. Structural analysis showed that HBV obtained shared meaningful consensus mutations in B/T cell epitopes of surface and core antigens, transactivating domain of X protein and enhancer II/core promoter regions as compared to standard strains.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Genotype and gene mutation of HBV may be closely correlated with the carcinogenesis of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma.</p>

Expression and significance of nitric oxide synthase in human hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression and significance of nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) mRNA in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cirrhotic liver and normal liver tissue.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>cNOS mRNA expression in 80 HCC, 40 cirrhotic liver and 20 normal liver tissue were observed by in situ hybridization. CD34 immunostain was used to measure the microvascular density (MVD) and Ki-67 immunostain to proliferative index.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Expression of cNOS mRNA was observed in the liver cancer cells, endothelial cells in the non-cancerous liver tissues and mononuclear and/or phagocytes. Expression of cNOS mRNA in tumor cells of HCC was higher than that in the liver cells of cirrhotic liver (P < 0.01) which was higher than the normal liver tissue. Expression in the endothelial cells was higher in HCC and cirrhotic liver than those in the normal liver tissue (P < 0.01). HCC with positive cNOS mRNA expression in the endothelial cells showed higher extent of neovascularization and degree of proliferative index. The more MVD, the higher proliferative index, which increased in metastatic tumors.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>cNOS mRNA expression was involved in oncogenesis, angiogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.</p>