[Nitric oxide synthase and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and their relation to angiogenesis].
OBJECTIVE
To analyse inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their 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 iNOS and eNOS immunostaining 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 positive for iNOS and VEGF while it was 31.2 +/- 2.8/HP, and 22.4 +/- 2.0/HP in HCC negative for iNOS and VEGF respectively (P < 0.01). A correlation between NOS expression and VEGF in HCC was not observed.


CONCLUSIONS
iNOS and eNOS may play a role in malignant transformation of post-hepatic cirrhosis. The expression of iNOS and VEGF favors angiogenesis of HCC.
Wang
L
L
Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Medical University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Tang
Z
Z
Sun
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; C496319:NOS2 protein, human; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II