title: Increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 is associated with the progression to cirrhosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the degree of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  COX-2 protein expression was evaluated in 43 cases of chronic hepatitis and 24 cases of cirrhosis using immunohistochemical techniques. The COX-2 immunohistochemical staining score was assessed using the scoring systems of Pazirandeh et al and Qiu et al. and each scoring system was based on a sum of the parameters of staining intensity and distribution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean COX-2 expression scores in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis were 2.5 ± 1.3 vs. 3.3 ± 1.1 (p = 0.008), and 3.2 ± 2.0 vs. 4.5 ± 1.7 (p = 0.006), respectively, based on the Pazirandeh et al. and Qiu et al. scoring systems. The percentage samples of high COX-2 expression score (4 to 5) in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis were 16.3% vs. 45.8% (p = 0.022), and 23.3% vs. 50% (p = 0.021), respectively, based on the two scoring systems. The mean COX-2 expression scores based on the severity of hepatic fibrosis scored using Ishak's modified staging system (fibrosis score 0 to 3 vs. 4 to 6) were 2.4 ± 1.3 vs. 3.2 ± 1.1 (p = 0.009), and 3.1 ± 2.0 vs. 4.3 ± 1.8 (p = 0.009), respectively, based on the two scoring systems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  COX-2 expression was significantly higher in liver cirrhosis group than in chronic hepatitis. COX-2 expression scores according to Ishak's staging was significantly higher in the advanced fibrosis group. COX-2 may play a role in the progression of hepatic fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Digestive Research and Digestive Disease Center, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Soung Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Jae Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Sae Hwan
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sang Gyun
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young Koog
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Cheon
authors.forename: Young Seok
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young Deok
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Hong Soo
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Joon Seong
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: So-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Chan Sup
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.forename: Boo Sung
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human