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.
Department of Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa.
M C
MC
Gaillard
E
E
Song
C M
CM
Nogueira
T A
TA
Kilroe-Smith
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