Elastase binding capacity of alpha 2-macroglobulin and its association with glucocorticoid concentration in southern African black patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
Thirty-three Southern African black patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (7 women) and 43 black control individuals (14 women), all in the age group 18-45 years, were investigated for plasma alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) elastase binding capacity (EBC). Cortisol levels were measured in 15 (3 women) of the HCC patients and 10 (5 women) of the control subjects. A significant difference in EBC was found between the HCC patients and the control subjects (P < 0.001). A significant difference was also found in cortisol levels between the two groups (P < 0.001). A significant correlation between EBC and cortisol levels was obtained (r = 0.57; P < 0.042). The significant increase in EBC of alpha 2M in HCC patients could be due to an increase in circulating cortisol.
Gaillard
M C
MC
Department of Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Song
E
E
Nogueira
C M
CM
Kilroe-Smith
T A
TA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000353:Africa, Southern; D000818:Animals; D044383:Black People; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013552:Swine; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000378:metabolism*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase; D006854:Hydrocortisone