RESUMO
The objectives of this study are as follows:1) to explore the expression level of alpha hydroxybutyric acid dehydrogenase (α-HBDH) in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and its prognostic significance;and 2) to analyze the relationship amongα-HBDH, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and beta 2-microglobulin (β2-MG), so as to evaluate their diagnostic and prognostic sig-nificance. Methods:The expression levels of serumα-HBDH, LDH, andβ2-MG were examined in 104 patients with NHL before and after treatment. The relations among the levels of serum LDH,α-HBDH, andβ2-MG, as well as their connection with the patients' age, gender, disease stage, and pathological type, were explored. Results:Serumα-HBDH level increased in 35%of the patients and showed a significant correlation with LDH andβ2-MG. Significant differences were observed forα-HBDH andβ2-MG at different stages but not for LDH. Significant differences were observed betweenα-HBDH and LDH for different pathological types, but none was found inβ2-MG. The three serum enzymes did not exhibit any significant difference for different ages and genders. Levels of serum LDH andα-HBDH showed considerable difference between pre-treatment and post-treatment of patients. Serumβ2-MG level did not show any significant change after two or three cycles of chemotherapy. Conclusion:The expression level of serumα-HBDH increases in patients with NHL, is positively correlated with the levels of LDH andβ2-MG, and is highly relevant to disease stage and pathological type, regardless of the patients' age and gender. Serumα-HBDH is expected to be a new NHL indicator for tumor load, disease severity, and prognosis.