Changes of lipid metabolism in plasma, liver and bile during cholesterol gallstone formation in rabbit model

AIM: To find out the relationship between the disturbances of lipid metabolism and the formation of cholesterol gallstones by studying the changes of lipid metabolism in plasma, liver tissue and the bile.

METHODS: Male and female white Japanese rabbits were divided randomly into a control group (Con) and four experimental groups of 10 rabbits each fed with a diet containing 1.2% cholesterol for one, two, three and four weeks (1 wk, 2 wk, 3 wk and 4 wk group). The measurement of plasma triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and its subfractions (HDL2-C, HDL3-C), very low and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C, LDL-C) was taken with standard enzymatic techniques. Apolipoprotein (apo) concentrations in plasma were measured by radial immunodiffusion assay for apoA1, apoB100, aopC¢ò and apoC II. Total cholesterol of liver was measured by the enzymatic procedure for each animal. Bile acids, mainly glycocholate (GCA) and glycodeoxycholate (GDCA) were detected by dual wavelength thin layer scanner.

RESULTS: In all the experimental groups fed with dietary cholesterol, cholesterol crystal was found in the gallbladder in 2/10 cases of the 1 wk group, 4/10 of the 2 wk group,6/10 of the 3 wk group and 7/10 of the 4 wk group respectively. The concentration of plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), phospholipid (pl), VLDL-C, LDL-C, apoB100, apoC II, apoC III gradually increased (P < 0.05)with the prolonged feeding time of dietary cholesterol. High density lipoprotein cholesterol and its subfractions (HDL-C, HDL2-C, HDL3-C) showed a tendency to decrease, but without statistical significance (P > 0.05). ApoA1 was reduced with increased feeding time of dietary cholesterol (P < 0.05). The hepatic and biliary cholesterol increased 1-1.5 times as compared with the control group (t = 5.221 and 3.445, P < 0.05). The GCA gradually decreased beginning from the control group to the 4 wk group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Owing to the high cholesterol diet, the increased concentrations of plasma TC, TG, VLDL-C, LDL-C, hepatic TC and TG, apoB100, apoC II and apoC III possibly enhanced the secretion of biliary cholesterol into bile; the decreased plasma apoA1 level might reduce the secretion of antinucleating factor into bile. All those factors mentioned above probably contribute to the formation of cholesterol gallstones.

Two novel gastric cancer-associated genes identified by differential display

AIM: To clone novel gastric cancer-associated genes and investigate their roles in gastric cancer occurrence.

METHODS: A method called differential display was used which allows the identification of differentially expressed genes by using PAGE to display PCR-amplified cDNA fragments between gastric cancer cells and normal gastric mucosa cells. These fragments were cloned into plasmid vector pUC18. Homology analysis was made after sequencing these fragments.

RESULTS: Two novel genes were identified compared with sequences from GenBank. One was registered with the AD number AF 051783. In situ hybridization showed that these two novel genes expressed specifically in gastric cancer tissues.

CONCLUSION: The two novel genes obtained by differential display were confirmed to be gastric cancer-associated genes using in situ hybridization.

Modification of ricin and its hepatotoxicity and activity against hepatocellular cancer in mice

AIM: To observe the effects of ricin (RT) with and without chemicalmodification on both hepatotoxicity of mice and activity against hepatocellular cancer (HCC), and evaluate the possibility to improve RT anticancer activity via chemical modification.

METHODS: RT was modified with N-succinimidyl3 (2-pyridyldithio) propionate (SPDP), a heterobifunctional cross-linker, and SPDP derivative of RT (PDP-R) was obtained. The serum glutathione-s-transferase (SGST) activity, as an index of liver damage, was determined in mice intoxicated with RT and PDP-R, at various doses and time.The tissue damage of HCC in the nude mice ip injected with PDP-R was compared with that with RT at the same dose by immunohistochemical method, the relative content of both RT and PDP-R in the HCC tissues was measured by computerized image-analysis.

RESULTS: The SGST activities increased with doses or/and time intoxicated with both RT and PDP-R, and the increase in the value of RT group was more significant than that in the PDP-R group; the SGST activity of RT group was 2.8-fold (P < 0.01) of PDP-R group at a dose of 12.5 μg/kg for 42 h, showing the much lower toxicity of R-PDP than that of RT. Under an optical microscope, hemolysis and necrosis of massive cells in the HCC tissues of PDP-R group were observed and the ratio of necrosis mounted to 90.5% while the corresponding value of RT group only to 62.5%. With computerized image-analysis, the average relative content of RT and PDP-R in the HCC tissues, represented as greyness, was 140.06 ± 3.43 and 169.10 ± 2.74, respectively. There was significant difference between the two (P < 0.05), indicating the higher content of PDP-R in the HCC tissue than that of RT.

CONCLUSION: The hepatotoxicity of PDP-R to mice may be reduced by chemical modification with SPDP, but both the affinity of PDP-R to the HCC tissues and ability to kill it may be stronger than that of RT. So this might be a valuable attempt to improve the anticancer activity of RT.

Effect of cytokines on liver necrosis

AIM: To investigate the effect of cytokines on the liver necrosis.

METHODS: rIL (interleukin)-1, rIL-6, rIFN (interferon)γ, rTNF (tumor necrosis factor)α with or without D-galactosamine (D-GAL) were injected into the abdominal cavity of mice separately. ALT, TBIL (total bilirubin) and histological changes were observed.

RESULTS: There was no effect on hepatocyte of normal mice after injection of rIL-1, rIL-6, rIFN alone or together. The serum total bilirubin (TBIL) and liver necrosis of mice increased after rTNFα, rIL-6 or rIFNγ were used separately with D-GAL. The TBIL level (μmol/L)was 46.19 ± 10.62, 44.55 ± 12.9 and 41.94 ± 14.9, higher than that caused by D-GAL alone (TBIL, 26.67 μmol/L ± 11.14 μmol/L). The serum TBIL of mice and the degree of liver necrosis increased after injection of IL-1, IL-6 with D-GAL and rTNFα.

CONCLUSION: Cytokines, like IL-1, IL-6, IFNγ and TNFα joined in the process of hepatocyte necrosis. They can enhance the degree of liver necrosis induced by D-GAL.

Effect of endotoxin on fibronectin synthesis of rat primary cultured hepatocytes

AIM: To investigate the effect of endotoxin on liver fibrosis and further define the role of hepatocytes in production of fibronectin in primary livercell culture by endotoxin.

METHODS: After isolation and seeding of hepatocytes, the obtained cells were added to various doses (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg/L) of LPS treated culture media. The cells were collected and counted at various periods (0, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 h). The concentrations of fibronectin were tested by electrophoresis.

RESULTS: The fibronectin levels tended to increase with prolongation of culture time. There was a sharp increase after 72 h in 10 or 15 LPS treated group. The peak level of fibronectin was above 20 mg/L. However, cell proliferation was inhibited during the course. Cell number of untreated control group (4.6 ± 0.1 × 10⁶) was about three fold that of 20 LPS treated group (1.6 ± 0. 2 × 10⁶) at 120 h.

CONCLUSION: Hepatocytes have a potent ability to produce fibronectin stimulated by endotoxin, suggesting that hepatocytes might participate in the process of liver fibrosis.

Expression and kinetic changes of alkaline phosphatase and its isoenzymes in experimental rat hepatoma

AIM: To explore the expression and changes of hepatoma specific alkaline phospatase (ALP) in rats during canceration.

METHODS: The ALPs and isoenzymes of rat livers and sera were investigated in SD hepatomas induced with 0.05% 2-fluoenylacetamide (2-FAA).

RESULTS: By pathological examination and biochemical analysis. ALPs were overexpressed in rat livers during canceration and then were secreted into blood. Serum total ALP activities, liver ALP specific activities (U/g) including soluble and membrane-combined ALP activities of each group were all significantly higher (P < 0.01)than those of control group. The average ratios of soluble ALP to membrane-combined ALP were increased significantly after 6 weeks. ALP isoenzymes of rat sera and livers showed 5 bands on PAGE: ALP-I and ALP-II were specific for normal liver and rat hepatoma tissues, the ALP-II appeared in rat liver after 6 weeks and in sera after 8 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS: ALP with carcino-embryonic protein was overexpressed in hepatoma tissues; the abnormal ALP-II of ALP isoenzymes in sera and liver of rats can be used as a tumor marker for early diagnosis of rat hepatoma.

Comparative studies on epithelial lesions at gastric cardia and pyloric antrum in subjects from a high incidence area for esophageal cancer in Henan, China

AIM: To investigate the pathogenesis of gastric cardia and the distal part of stomach cancer and to further characterize the histopathogenesis model for gastric cardia cancer from the high-risk population for esophageal cancer.

METHODS: Mass survey with endoscopic mucosa biopsy and histopathological examination were carried out on 226 subjects aged above 30 years. Three biopsies were collected one each from the middle part of the esophagus, the gastric cardia and the pyloric antrum. The biopsy tissue was fixed with 85% alcohol and paraffin-embedded.

RESULTS: The incidence of intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia at gastric cardia epithelium was higher than that at the pyloric antrum from the subjects in the same area. And there were high incidences of both esophageal and gastric cardia cancer, but a low incidence of gastric cancer at the distal part of the stomach.

CONCLUSION: There might be different etiology and pathogenesis of gastric cardia and pyloric cancer at the distal part of the stomach.

Effects of Fuzheng Huayu 319 recipe on liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B

AIM: To investigate clinic effects of Fuzheng Huayu 319 recipe (319 recipe) on liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B.

METHODS: Ninety-five patients with chronic hepatitis B were divide into the treated (63 cases) and control (32 cases) group, and orally administrated with 0.5g 319 capsule or 0.5g Dahuang Zhachong pill tid for 3 months, respectively. The liver functions and serological fibrotic markers were observed before and after treatment, 12 cases in the treated group were examined with liver biopsy.

RESULTS: Three hundreds nineteen recipe could remarkably decreased serum ALT level and total bilirubin and significantly improve serum albumin and A/G ratio. Its effects were better than Dahuang Zhachong pill. Before treatment, patients¡äserum monamine oxidase activities, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, procollagen type III and laminin were all higher than those of health peoples. These levels decreased remarkably after treatment, and urine hydroxyproline level increased significantly (P<0.001-0.05). Compared with the control, the improvement in treated group was better than that in the control except TIMP-1. According to the scoring system for staging of chronic hepatitis, the fibrotic extents of 7 cases among 12 cases examined by liver biopsy decreased remarkably (1 case decreased by 3 scores, 5 by 2 scores, 1 by 1 score).

CONCLUSION: Fuzheng Huayu 319 recipe had good therapeutic effects on chronic hepatitis B, it could reverse the development of liver fibross to some extent. In general its effects were better than that of Dahuang Zhachong pill.

Phase tissue intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in nude mice human liver cancer metastasis model

AIM: To study the phase cancer tissue intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression of human cancer metastasis model in nude mice, and to analyze the relationship between ICAM-1 expression and the metastasis and recurrence of hepatocellular cancinoma (HCC).

METHODS: HCC tissues from liver cancer metastasis model in nude mice (LCI-D20) was orthotopically implanted, and ICAM-1 expression in HCC tissues at different growing time were detected by immunodot blot. Tumor size, intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastasis foci were observed by naked eyes and under light microscope.

RESULTS: ICAM-1 was positively correlated to the tumor growing time (r = 0.88, P < 0.01) and tumor size r = 0.5, P < 0.05). It was higher in metastatic HCC than in nonmetastatic HCC (8.24 ± 0.95 vs 3.03 ± 0.51, P < 0.01). ICAM-1 content in cancer tissues increased suddenly after metastasis occurred and then maintained in a high level. ICAM-1 was also higher in multimetastasis group than in monometastasis group (10.05 ± 1.17 vs 5.48 ± 0.49, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Tissue ICAM-1 could predict not only the metastasis of human liver cancer metastasis model in nude mice early and sensitively, but also the metastasis degree. So tissue ICAM-1 may be a potential index indicating the status of metastasis of HCC patients.

Radioimmunoimaging of colorectal cancer using 99mTc-labeled monoclonal antibody

AIM: To determine whether Hb3 and its fragment F(ab’)₂ have practical value in radioimmunoimaging of colorectal cancer.

METHODS: Intact Hb3 was purified by hydroxylapatite chromatography. The fragment F(ab’)₂ was prepared by cold digestion and purified as intact Hb3. Hb3 and its fragment F(ab’)₂ were labeled with 99mTc by direct labeling method using SnCl₂ as reducing agent. The radioactive doses ranged from 15 to 40 mCi. The imaging was accomplished by single photon emission computered tomograph (SPECT) with imaging time ranging from 2.5 to 48 h. In this study, 10 patients were selected. Among them, 7 were administered with intact Hb3, and 3 with F(ab’)₂ fragment. All the patients were diagnosed as having colorectal adenocarcinoma.

RESULTS: After purification, intact Hb3 and its fragment F(ab’)₂ were fit for radioimmunoimaging. The percentage of labeling of ^99mTc to Hb3 or F(ab’)₂ was 80.6%-91.5%. Among the 10 patients, 3 of 7 patients administered with intact Hb3 had positive scans, the other 4 had negative scans, and 2 of 3 patients administered with F(ab’)₂ had positive scans, the other 1 had negative scans.

CONCLUSION: The results showed that both intact Hb3 and its F(ab’)₂ have some practical value in radioimmunoimaging of colorectal cancer, and the effects of imaging with F(ab’)₂ was better than that with intact Hb₃.

Expression of alpha fetoprotein messenger RNA in BEL-7404 human hepatoma cells and effect of L-4-oxalysine on the expression

AIM: To investigate alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) mRNA expression in BEL-7404 human hepatoma cells and the effect of L-4-oxalysine (OXL) on the expression.

METHODS: Bel-7404 human hepatoma cells were maintained in RPMI 1640 media. Human AFP cDNA probe was labelled with digoxigenin-11-dUTP by the random primer labelling method. The expression of AFP mRNA in Bel-7404 cells was determined by an in situ hybridization technique with digoxigenin-labelled human AFP cDNA probe. The positive intensities of AFP mRNA in cells were analyzed by microspectrophotometer and expressed as absorbance at 470 nm. For the experiment with OXL, cells were incubated with various concentrations of the agent for 72 h.

RESULTS: Essentially all the hepatoma cells contained AFP mRNA in the cytoplasm, although in various amounts. The specificity of the hybridization reaction was confirmed by control experiments in which the use of Rnase-treated BEL-7404 cells, non-AFP producing cells (HL-60 human leukemia cells) or a nonspecific cDNA probe resulted in negative hybridization. When the cells were treated with OXL (25, 50 mg/L), the content of AFP mRNA in the cytoplasm was decreased with the inhibition percentages of 34.3% and 70.1%, respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: AFP mRNA was expressed in BEL-7404 human hepatoma cells and OXL suppressed AFP mRNA expression in the cells.

HBx-DNA probe preparation and its application in study of hepatocarcinogenesis

AIM:To study the role of HBV especially HBx Open Reading Frame (ORF) in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).METHODS:HBV 3.2kb fragment was retrieved by digesting recombinant plasmid pBR(322)-2HBV with EcoR II, and HBx 0.59kb fragments by digesting HBV-DNA with BamH I and Bgl II. These fragments were labelled with digoxigenin to get HBV-DNA and HBx-DNA probes. HBV-DNA was detected in HCC by dot blot and Southern blot hybridization with HBV-DNA probe, so the positive specimens in which HBV-DNA were integrated were selected. HBx-DNA was subsequently detected in the selected specimens with HBx-DNA probe.RESULTS:HBV-DNA was detected in 75% HCC, among which integrated type, integrated + free type covered 63.6% and 36.4%. There was no free type. HBx-DNA was detected in 90.5% specimens of integrated type.CONCLUSION:Hepatocarcinogenesis was highly related to HBV-DNA integration, and HBV-DNA mainly integrated into chromosome with incomplete virus DNA fragments among which HBx fragment was the predominant one.

Effects of Dangshen on isolated gastric muscle strips in rats

AIM:To study the effects of Dangshen dried root of Codonopsis Pilosula (Franch) Nannf on contractile activity of isolated gastric muscle strips in rats and its possible mechanism involved.METHODS:Each isolated gastric muscle strip was put in a tissue chamber containing 5ml Krebs solution, constantly warmed by water jacket at 37?mgr; and supplied with a mixed gas of 95% O(2) and 5% CO(2). After incubating for 1h with 1g tension, Dangshen of varied concentration was added cumulatively in the tissue chamber at intervals of 2 minutes. The isometrical response was measured on ink-writing recorders.RESULTS:Dangshen dose dependence increased the resting tension of longitudinal muscle (LM) of fundus (r =0.96, P < 0.01), the mean contractile amplitude of circular muscle (CM) of the stomach body (r =0.87, P < 0.05) and CM of antrum (r =0.98, P < 0.01), and the motility index CM of pylorus(r =0.87, P < 0.05). Atropine (5 10( 8)mol/L) or Hexamethonium (10( 5)mol/L) or Indomethacin (5 10( 7)mol/L) was given 2 minutes before the administration of Dangshen, it did not abolish its dose related manner. Atropine apparently reduced the increasing action of 10% and 30% Dangshen on the resting tesion of LM of fundus (P < 0.05), 30%, 100% and 200% Dangshen on bodied strips (P < 0.05), 100% and 200% Dangshen on antral strips (P < 0.05).Hexamethonium reduced the increasing action of 10% and 30% Dangshen on the resting tesion of LM of fundus (P < 0.05 and P < 0.05), 30%, 100% and 200% Dangshen on bodied strips (P < 0.05), and 100% and 200% Dangshen on pyloric strips (P < 0.05). Indomethacin inhibited the effect of 10% Dangshen on the resting tesion of LM of fundus (P < 0.05), but did not affect the exciting action of Dangshen on strips of body, antrum and pylorus.CONCLUSION:The results showed that Dangshen possessed exciting action on the isolated gastric smooth muscle strips of the rat.The exciting action of Dangshen was partially mediated via cholinergic M and N receptors.

In vitro production of TNFα, IL-6 and sIL-2R in Chinese patients with ulcerative colitis

AIM: To determine the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2r) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in 25 Chinese patients with ulcerative colitis and 20 healthy controls.

METHODS: PBMC were isolated by density gradient centrifugation of heparinized blood and cultures for 24 or 48 h by stimulation with LPS or PHA. TNFα and sIL-2r were measured by ELISA method and IL-6 measured by biossay.

RESULTS: TNFα production stimulated by LPS and sIL-2r production by PHA in ulcerative colitis were significantly lower than in healthy controls (TNFα 509 (46-7244) ng/L vs 1995 (117-18950) ng/L, P < 0.05; sIL-2r 320 U/mL ± 165 U/mL vs 451 U/mL ± 247 U/mL, P < 0.05). Spontaneous TNFα and sIL-2r production were not significantly different between ulcerative colitis and controls (TNFα 304 (46-7044) ng/L vs 215 (46-4009) ng/L, P > 0.05; sIL-2r 264 U/mL ± 115 U/mL vs 236 U/mL ± 139 U/mL, P > 0.05). IL-6 production by spontaneous release from PBMC in ulcerative colitis group was 109 U/mL ± 94 U/mL vs 44 U/mL ± 39 U/mL for those in healthy controls, P < 0.01. IL-6 stimulated by LPS in ulcerative colitis group was (261 U/mL ± 80 U/mL) higher than in healthy controls (102 U/mL ± 54 U/mL, P < 0.01). No correlation of TNFα, IL-6, sIL-2r production was found to disease activity, disease location and medication.

CONCLUSION: Cytokine production from PBMC was also disturbed in Chinese patients with ulcerative colitis.

Peripheral mechanism of inhibitory effect of centrally administrated histamine on gastric acid secretion

AIM: To study the peripheral mechanism of the inhibitory effect of intra-third ventricular administration (icv) of histamine (HA) on gastric acid secretion in rats.

METHODS: Gastric acid was continuously washed with 37 °C saline by a perfusion pump in male adrenalectomized SD rats. Drugs were injected intravenously (iv) by a syringe pump and their effect on pentagastrin-induced (10 μg·kg·h, iv) gastric acid secretion was observed.

RESULTS: The inhibitory effect of HA (1 μg, icv) on gastric acid secretion was blocked by subdiaphragmatic vagotomy, and pretreatment with atropine (0.005 mg·kg·h, iv). Pretreatment with somatostatin antagonist, cyclo-[7-aminoheptanoyl-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Thr(Bzl)], (2 μg-4 μg·kg·100 min, iv) could also block the inhibitory effect of HA on gastric acid secretion in a dose dependent manner.

CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effect of centrally administrated HA on gastric acid secretion may be mediated by vagi, acetylcholine M receptor and somatostatin.

Study of heteroserum-induced rat liver fibrosis model and its mechanism

AIM: To investigate the morphological changes in the process of heteroserum induced rat liver fibrosis and the mechanism of fibrogenesis of this model.

METHODS: A model of heteroserum-induced rat liver fibrosis was established by intraperitoneal injection of porcine serum. In addition to the observation of the morphological changes of this model, the infiltration of eosinophils and mast cells were measured quantitatively and the deposition of IgG and complement C₃ was detected by immunofluorescence.

RESULTS: The rat liver fibrosis was induced successfully at the end of the 8th week after the injection of heteroserum. Besides the increase of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) during the process of liver fibrosis, proliferation and activation of primary mesenchyma cells (PMCs) were also found. In the early stage, the infiltration of eosinophils and mast cells was significantly increased and the deposition of IgG and complement C₃ was positive in the portal tracts and septa, while gradually reduced after the injection was stopped.

CONCLUSIONS: This model is suitable for the research on liver fibrogenesis; the pathogenesis of this model may be related with the allergen-induced late phasereaction (LPR) caused by the injection of heteroserum, and the HSCs and the PMCs are important sources of ECM-producing cells.

Relationship between expression of laminin and pathological features in human colorectal carcinoma

AIM: To study the expression and significance of laminin in human colorectal carcinoma.

METHODS: Using the monoclonal antibody to laminin and streptavidin-peroxidase immunohistochemical method, the expression of laminin in 63 cases of human colorectal carcinoma tissues was determined.

RESULTS: In normal marge intestinal mucosa adjacent to carcinoma, laminin was largely restricted to basement membrane in continuous linear pattern. In contrast, human colorectal carcinomas exhibited a progressive loss of an intact basement membrane that was correlated with decreasing differentiation degree. Well and moderately differentiated tumors exhibited a thin basement membrane with intermittent disruptions, and poorly differentiated tumors exhibited no areas of intact basement membrane. An association was found between lack of basement membrane laminin immunohistochemical staining in colorectal carcinoma and poorly differentiated tumor (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemical staining for laminin could provide a very useful indexfor the determination of the differentiation degree of colorectal carcinoma.

A clinical evaluation of serum concentrations of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in patients with gastric cancer

AIM: To investigate the correlation between the serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and the clinicopathologic features and to evaluate the possible prognostic significance of sICAM-1 concentration in gastric cancer.

METHODS: Thirty-four patients with gastric cancer were prospectively included and evaluated. Venous blood samples were collected before the surgery. Sera were obtained by centrifugation, and store at -30 °C until assay. The control group consisted of 20 healthy volunteers. Serum concentrations of ICAM-1 were measured with the quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technic. Differences between the two groups were analyzed by Student’s t test. x^- + 2s of normal control sICAM-1 was taken as upper limit to calculate the positive rates.

RESULTS: The mean value of serum ICAM-1 in patients with gastric cancer was 367.7 μg/L ± 104.7 μg/L and that of control group was 236.9 μg/L ± 74.3 μg/L, and the difference was significant (P < 0.001). The patients with tumor size of ≥ 5 cm had significantly higher serum concentrations of sICAM-1 than those with smaller ones (406.7 μg/L ± 90.2 μg/L vs 319.9 μg/L ± 105.3 μg/L, P < 0.01). Compared with stages I-II gastric cancer patients, patients with more advanced clinical stage (III-IV) had higher levels of sICAM-1 (397.1 μg/L ± 102.4 μg/L vs 306.0 μg/L ± 82.3 μg/L, P < 0.05). Difference was significant statistically in sICAM-1 levels between patients with positive lymph node status and those without lymph node involvement (403.6 μg/L ± 99.7 μg/L vs 302.7 μg/L ± 81.4 μg/L, P < 0.01). No relation was observed between the level of sICAM-1 and grade of histological differentiation in the patients with gastric cancer.

CONCLUSION: Serum sICAM-1 concentration may be a valuable parameter for predicting the prognosis and degree of the gastric cancer.