ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression and clinical significance of DKK-1 protein in patients with gastric cancers. METHODS: Enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay was used to detect expressions of serum DKK-1 protein in 90 cases of gastric cancers, 50 cases of gastric benign disease and 40 healthy cases. The dynamic change in serum DKK-1 protein of gastric cancer patients who accepted radical operation for a month was also observed. RESULTS: The expression of serum DKK-1 protein in gastric cancer groups was significantly higher than that in gastric benign group's (P < 0.01) and in health control (P < 0.01). Serum DKK-1 level was increased gradually along with the progress of the disease. Serum DKK-1 levels were significantly higher in patients at TNM staging III and IV than patients at TNM staging I and II. Level of serum DKK-1 was related to microvascular invasion, differentiation degree and infiltration depth. Level of serum DKK-1 was significantly reduced in patients after radical surgery (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of serum DKK-1 protein in gastric cancer patients is increased. Level of serum DKK-1 is related to TNM staging, microvascular invasion, differentiation degree and infiltration depth. DKK-1 detection can be used as a reference index in monitoring gastric cancer progress and biological behavior.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/virology , Hepatitis B virus/genetics , Hepatitis B/virology , Liver Cirrhosis/virology , Liver Neoplasms/virology , Mutation , Adolescent , Adult , Asian People , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics , Ethnicity , Female , Genotype , Hepatitis B/genetics , Humans , Liver Cirrhosis/genetics , Liver Neoplasms/genetics , Male , Middle Aged , Young AdultABSTRACT
AIM: To determine serum leptin levels and investigate their correlations with anthropometric and metabolic parameters and biochemical liver function in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and their potential clinical implications. METHODS: Forty-two chronic HCV-infected patients without anti-viral treatment were enrolled in this study, 30 patients had chronic hepatitis C, 10 had cirrhosis, and 2 had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thirty age- and sex-matched healthy individuals served as controls. Serum leptin levels were determined by ELISA. The biochemical liver function and serum lipids were determined at the same time. The height and body weight of patients and controls were measured, and body mass index (BMI) and body fat were calculated simultaneously. The correlations of serum leptin levels with anthropometric and metabolic parameters and biochemical liver function were assessed statistically. RESULTS: The mean of serum leptin levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C, HCV-associated cirrhosis, HCV-associated HCC and control groups was (6.13+/-3.94), (5.25+/-4.21), (4.17+/-0.28), and (3.59+/-3.44) ng/mL, respectively. The serum leptin level in patients with chronic hepatitis C was significantly higher than that in controls. The serum leptin levels between cirrhotic patients and controls and between male and female cirrhotic patients had no significant difference. Serum leptin levels were positively-correlated with body fat, BMI, and apolipoprotein B (Apo B) in patients with chronic HCV infection. The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were closely-correlated with BMI in patients with chronic hepatitis C. CONCLUSION: HCV infection interferes with fat and lipid metabolism in patients with chronic HCV infection and leptin may play a role in hepatosteatosis.
