Abstract
Objective: To analyze the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its relation to angiogenesis. Methods: Tissue sections from 71 HCC patients were examined immunohistochemically for protein expression of iNOS, eNOS, and VEGF. Microvessal density (MVD) was counted by endothelial cells immunostained by anti-CD34 antibody. Results: Positive immunostaining for iNOS, eNOS was detected in 83.1% and 85.9% of HCC respectively. INOS and eNOS were not detected in normal hepatic tissue. MVD was 34.3±1.5/HP and 38.6±1.6/HP in HCC with positive staining for iNOS and VEGF while it was 31.2±2.8/HP, and 22.4±2.0/HP in HCC with negative staining for iNOS and VEGF (P<0.01). A correlation between NOS expression and VEGF in HCC was not observed. Conclusion: iNOS and eNOS may play a role in malignant transformation f post-hepatic cirrhosis. The expression of iNOS and VEGF favors angiogenesis of HCC.
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Foundation item: This work was supported in part by the grant from the State Key Basic Research Program (No. G1998051211), the Leading Specialty Foundation of the Public Health Bureau of Shanghai(No. 983001).
Biography: Wang Lu, (1968–), doctor of medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Medical University, majors in surgical oncology.
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Wang, L., Tang, Zy., Sun, Hc. et al. Nitric oxide synthase and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and the correlation with angiogenesis. Chin. J. Cancer Res. 13, 124–127 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11670-001-0029-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11670-001-0029-5