The Role of Metallothioneins (MTs) in the Occurrence and Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Mechanism Behind the Prevention and Treatment of Traditional Chinese Medicine / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

ABSTRACT

It is a brief review of our research on the role of metallothioneins (MTs) in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (Hcc) in more than a decade,and the mechanism of prevention and treatment for Hcc in the field of TCM.It was found that MTs were required for the malignant proliferation of Hcc cells and their expressions significantly increased under different levels of stress.MTs may exert their effects on promoting proliferation via increasing ribosomal protein gene or other gene expressions.The over-expressions of MTs directly altered the balance of ions in the cell nucleus,and interacted on the genes promoting malignant proliferation.Hepatotoxicity and hepatic damage caused by DEN were reduced and relieved to different extents by the representative formula or constitute,which under the common therapeutic principle,by which MTs expressions were down-regulated as well.In conclusion,both effects above are important in the liver protection,inhibition of hyperplasia and carcinogenesis.