Nitric oxide, matrix metalloproteinases [2,9] and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 levels in hepatocellular carcinoma of egyptian patients

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the levels of NO, MMP-2 and 9 and TIMP-1 and the behavior of this carcinoma which may be helpful in disease management. For this purpose, the sera of 74 hepatocellular carcinoma cases as well as 74 normal cases were subjected for the analysis of the above mentioned parameters using ELISA technique and the results were correlated with the different clinicopathological data. The results revealed a significant enhancement in the levels of all the parameters examined in the hepatocellular cases rather than the normal ones. Almost, the same parameters showed no significant changes in their levels associated with the histopathological types of the disease. However, a significant change was obtained when the levels of NO, MMP-2, 9 and TIMP-1 were matched with the different tumor grades. All the parameters examined showed no significant difference with the tumor size [/<2 cm or >cm].Only the nitrite level was significantly changed with the C-virus infection and LN involvement; while the other parameters were not. The results suggested that analysis of NO, MMP-2. 9 and TIMP-1 may be helpful in disease management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma