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Biomedical subjects

T Seki

Publications and source records attributed to T Seki.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Non-traumatic renal arteriopelvic fistula.

PURPOSE: In the present paper, we report on a 34-year-old female with macroscopic hematuria due to a nontraumatic renal arteriopelvic fistula (APF). The patient initially presented at another hospital with asymptomatic macroscopic hematuria. Following abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT) and laboratory data, no abnormal findings were seen. Therefore, the patient was referred to Teine Keijinkai Hospital for a more precise evaluation of the urinary tract and vascular abnormality. METHODS/RESULTS: Endoscopically, there was bleeding from the right ureteral orifice, so the patient was admitted for further examination. No abnormal findings were seen on urinary cytology and following an intravenous pyelogram. A selective right lower polar renal arteriogram revealed arterial extravasation directly into the pelvis before the venous phase, so APF of the kidney was diagnosed. The patient had no history of urinary tract trauma, so the APF was thought to be idiopathic. After transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with a gelatine sponge, macroscopic and microscopic hematuria disappeared and a low-density area was seen in the middle pole of the right kidney in an abdominal CT scan 4 days after TAE. This was thought to be renal infarction due to TAE. CONCLUSIONS: After discharge, the patient had no further hematuria.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Changes in renal blood flow in response to sympathomimetics in the rat transplanted and denervated kidney.

BACKGROUND: Renal denervation and re-innervation may affect vascular responses to sympathomimetics, which may play a role in the maintainance of renal blood flow (RBF) following renal transplantation. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate pharmacological alteration of the renal sympathetic response following kidney transplantation. Using the rat kidney transplantation model, we focused on responses to various sympathomimetics in order to investigate the effects of sympathetic denervation and functional remodulation mechanisms in the transplanted kidney. METHODS: Male isogenic rats underwent unilateral kidney denervation or kidney transplantation accompanied by unilateral native nephrectomy. Renal blood flow was evaluated using a laser Doppler flow meter following bolus injection of 50 microg/kg dopamine and continuous infusion of 60 microg/min phenylephrine (PE) at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 240 days after transplantation as well as at 30 days after denervation. RESULTS: Bolus injection of dopamine (50 microg/kg) induced an initial reduction in RBF (that of alpha-adrenoceptors) followed by a long-lasting increase in RBF (that of beta-adrenoceptors) in the native kidney. In grafted or denervated kidneys, the dopamine-induced decrease in RBF mediated by alpha-adrenoceptors was markedly enhanced while the increase in RBF mediated by an action of dopamine on beta-adrenoceptors was blunted. The effects of the post-transplant period on vascular responses to dopamine were significant, but not completely synchronized with the native kidney, even at 240 days. Continuous infusion of PE (60 microg/min) produced a gradual increase in RBF in the native kidney, whereas a sudden reduction (i.e. breakthrough in autoregulation) was observed in the denervated and transplanted kidney. CONCLUSIONS: The responses to sympathomimetics in the grafted kidney were shifted towards flow reduction (i.e. enhanced vasoconstriction via stimulation of alpha-adrenoceptors and blunted vasodilatation via stimulation of beta-adrenoceptors. This functional impairment was recovered in a time-dependent manner. In addition, the hemodynamic autoregulation system in the kidney deteriorated following transplantation or denervation.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Angiotensin II type 1 receptor expression in two cases of juxtaglomerular cell tumor: correlation to negative feedback of renin secretion by angiotensin II.

The angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 (AT1) receptor is highly expressed on juxtaglomerular (G) cells and is assumed to be involved in the negative short loop feedback regulation of renin secretion and in the suppression of Ang II-mediated JG cell proliferation and/or growth. However, as JG cell tumor is rare, expression and pathophysiological significance of AT1 receptor expression in JG cell tumor remain unknown. In the present study, we investigated renin responses to various treatments, including the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor captopril, and correlated the results with AT1 and Ang II type 2 (AT2) receptor mRNA expression levels in two cases of JG cell tumor. Whereas plasma renin activity (PRA) did not show any significant change in Case 1, it was increased by 72% in Case 2 in response to captopril challenge. In concordance with these results, AT1 receptor mRNA was not detected in tumor tissue of Case 1 but was clearly demonstrated in the tumor of Case 2. AT2 receptor mRNA expression was not detected in either of the cases. In contrast to captopril challenge, PRA was suppressed by 30% in Case 1 and 42% in Case 2 in response to saline infusion, and was increased by 230% in Case 1 and 59% in Case 2 in response to furosemide-upright posture for 2 h. These results suggest that the short loop feedback inhibition of renin secretion by Ang II in JG cell tumor is closely related to AT1 receptor expression levels in the tumor tissue. In addition, the result suggested that despite its autonomy, renin secretion from JG cell tumor is still under physiological regulatory control.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1999

Cementless acetabular revision for aseptic failure of cemented hip arthroplasty.

This study is a 5- to 11-year retrospective followup of 40 hips in 33 patients with cementless acetabular revision for aseptic failure of a cemented total hip arthroplasty. A porous coated, Harris-Galante acetabular component was used in all revisions. Thirty-eight of the 40 hips received acetabular bone grafting at revision. The mean Harris Hip Score improved from 51 points just before the index cementless revision to 87 points at the most recent followup. Twenty-nine of 40 (73%) hips were classified as having a good or excellent result. Radiolucencies were observed in seven of the 40 (18%) hips at the most recent followup, but none of these radiolucencies were complete or progressive. Five of the 40 (13%) hips were rated as failures and required repeat revision. Two (5%) of these failures were caused by aseptic loosening, with both hips having severe acetabular bone damage at the time of the index revision. This failure rate for aseptic loosening was less than that reported for cemented acetabular revision, thereby confirming the efficacy of cementless acetabular components in revision hip surgery in the intermediate term.

Acetabulum↗
PubMed1999

Effects of two calcium channel blockers on messenger RNA expression of endothelin-1 and nitric oxide synthase in cardiovascular tissue of hypertensive rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of calcium channel blockers on messenger RNA expression of endothelin-1 and endothelial-type nitric oxide synthase in the cardiovascular tissue of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The calcium channel blocker nilvadipine (1.0 or 3.2 mg/kg per day) was subcutaneously administered to two groups of SHRSP, from 4 or 8 weeks of age, for 8 weeks and 4 weeks, respectively. For comparison, nifedipine (3.2 mg/kg per day) was similarly administered to SHRSP from 4 weeks of age for 8 weeks. Kidney, heart, aorta and brain tissue samples were obtained when the rats were 12 weeks old. Messenger RNA expression of endothelin-1 and endothelial-type nitric oxide synthase was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction followed by Southern blotting and a ribonuclease protection assay, respectively. Results were compared with those in untreated SHRSP and Wistar-Kyoto rats at 12 weeks of age. RESULTS: Both nilvadipine and nifedipine significantly decreased blood pressure in SHRSP. Although there were no changes in the weights of the kidney and brain, there was a significant decrease in the weight of the left ventricle of the groups treated with nilvadipine (1.0 mg/kg per day: mean +/- SEM 0.282 +/- 0.003 g; 3.2 mg/kg per day: 0.269 +/- 0.005 g) and nifedipine (1 mg/kg/day: 0.281 +/- 0.012 g) for 8 weeks compared with untreated SHRSP (0.301 +/- 0.004 g). Endothelin-1 messenger RNA expression, which was significantly increased by about twofold in the kidney, heart and brain of SHRSP compared with Wistar-Kyoto rats, was normalized by both calcium blockers. Endothelin-1 messenger RNA expression, which was decreased in the aorta of SHRSP, was further decreased by both calcium blockers. While there was no significant difference in endothelial-type nitric oxide synthase messenger RNA expression in the kidney, heart and aorta between the untreated SHRSP and Wistar-Kyoto rats, expression in the aorta was significantly increased in the group treated with these calcium blockers for 8 weeks from 4 weeks of age. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that, in addition to their potent antihypertensive effects, calcium channel blockers may exhibit cardiovasculoprotective and renoprotective effects by modifying mRNA expression of endothelin-1 and endothelial-type nitric oxide synthase in tissue.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Direct block of Ca2+ channels by calmidazolium in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells.

We investigated the action of calmidazolium (CMZ), an inhibitor of calmodulin (CaM), on the L-type Ca2+ currents (ICa(L)) of cultured vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells (A7r5 cell line), by using the whole-cell voltage-clamp method. All experiments were conducted at room temperature (24-25 degrees C). The peak IBa (Ca2+ channel current with 5 mM Ba2+ as charge carrier) was evoked every 15 s by a test potential to +10 mV from a holding potential of -60 mV. To elevate intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca]i) to pCa 6.5, the pipette solution contained a Ca2+-EGTA buffer (pCa 6.5) to allow equilibration with the cells. Bath application of 1 microM CMZ reduced the peak amplitude of IBa to 36.7+/-4.9% (n = 8); maximal effect occurred within 7-8 min. Peak IBa continued to decrease even after washing out the CMZ. Recovery of IBa was not observed even after 10 min of washout. Even in presence of an peptide inhibitor of CaM-dependent protein kinase-II (5.2 microM) in the pipette solution, CMZ inhibited IBa to 27.8 +/-5.3% (n = 7). To exclude the possibility that other Ca2+/ CaM-dependent kinases and phosphatases may regulate Ca2+ channel activity, we examined the effect of CMZ on IBa when [Ca]i was reduced by use of Ca2+/EGTA-buffered pipette solutions. At pCa approximately equal to 10 (10 mM EGTA and only contaminant Ca2+), CMZ inhibited IBa to 33.4+/-5.9% (n = 14) with a median inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 0.29 microM. The activation curve (pCa approximately equal to 10) was shifted in the positive direction by 6.3 mV; the inactivation curve was shifted in the negative direction by 5.0 mV. CMZ decreased IBa progressively during repetitive step depolarizations. CMZ did not slow the rate of recovery from inactivation. In conclusion, CMZ inhibits Ca2+ channel current in a use-dependent manner. This inhibition is independent of CaMK-II and other Ca2+/CaM-dependent pathways. Therefore it is likely due to direct blockade of Ca2+ channels by CMZ. CMZ may reduce the outer surface charge and block the open state of the Ca2+ channels.

Calcium Channel Blockers↗
PubMed1999

Percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy for solitary metastatic liver tumors from colorectal cancer: a pilot clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) was performed for metachronous small solitary liver tumors measuring < or = 3.0 cm in diameter that had metastasized from colorectal cancer. PMCT was used for local control of the lesions, and the efficacy of this treatment was assessed. METHODS: In 15 patients, a microwave electrode (specially designed for this purpose, 25 cm long and 2.0 mm thick) was inserted percutaneously into the tumor area under ultrasonic guidance. Microwaves at 80 watts were used to irradiate the tumor and the surrounding area. RESULTS: Thirteen of the 15 metastatic tumors were radically ablated by 3-10 applications of microwave irradiation. Although the follow-up period was short (9-37 months), 10 patients survived. No recurrence has been detected in the treated area (except two foci where PMCT was insufficient), and no serious side effects or complications were encountered during or after the PMCT. In four of the five nonsurviving patients, death was due to metastases to the bone, brain, lung, or other areas of the liver despite complete local tumor control by PMCT. CONCLUSION: PMCT is a safe and effective treatment for metachronous small liver tumors that have metastasized from colorectal cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Two distinct mechanisms cause heterogeneity of 16S rRNA.

To investigate the frequency of heterogeneity among the multiple 16S rRNA genes within a single microorganism, we determined directly the 120-bp nucleotide sequences containing the hypervariable alpha region of the 16S rRNA gene from 475 Streptomyces strains. Display of the direct sequencing patterns revealed the existence of 136 heterogeneous loci among a total of 33 strains. The heterogeneous loci were detected only in the stem region designated helix 10. All of the substitutions conserved the relevant secondary structure. The 33 strains were divided into two groups: one group, including 22 strains, had less than two heterogeneous bases; the other group, including 11 strains, had five or more heterogeneous bases. The two groups were different in their combinations of heterogeneous bases. The former mainly contained transitional substitutions, and the latter was mainly composed of transversional substitutions, suggesting that at least two mechanisms, possibly misincorporation during DNA replication and horizontal gene transfer, cause rRNA heterogeneity.

Base Composition↗
PubMed1999

IL-1beta mediates induction of hepatic type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor in response to local tissue injury.

Type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), a major physiological inhibitor of plasminogen activation, is an important component of the hepatic acute phase response. We studied the acute phase regulation of murine hepatic PAI-1 in response to systemic toxicity and local tissue injury in both wild-type mice and in mice in which the interleukin (IL)-1beta gene had been inactivated by gene targeting. Endotoxin induced plasma PAI-1 antigen levels and PAI-1 mRNA accumulation in liver to the same extent in both wild-type and IL-1beta-deficient mice. In contrast, turpentine increased plasma PAI-1 and hepatic PAI-1 mRNA accumulation in wild-type mice but not in IL-1beta-deficient mice. Intraperitoneal injection of murine IL-1beta rapidly increased plasma PAI-1 and hepatic PAI-1 mRNA in both wild-type and IL-1beta-deficient mice. These results suggest that IL-1beta is a critical inducer of hepatic PAI-1 gene expression during the acute phase response to local tissue injury. In situ hybridization studies revealed that hepatocytes are the cells primarily responsible for the hepatic expression of the PAI-1 gene induced by lipopolysaccharide and turpentine.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗
PubMed1999

Possible involvement of descending serotonergic systems in antinociception by centrally administered elcatonin in mice.

To elucidate the mechanisms of analgesic action of elcatonin, a synthetic analog of eel calcitonin, the effect of centrally injected elcatonin on acetic acid-induced writhing behavior was examined in mice. Intracisternal or intracerebroventricular injection of elcatonin significantly inhibited acetic acid-induced writhing behavior, while the intrathecal injection of elcatonin did not inhibit it. The inhibitory effect of intracisternal elcatonin was significantly attenuated by subcutaneous pretreatment with methysergide and (+/-)-propranolol or by intrathecal pretreatment with methysergide, (+/-)-propranolol, 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-(2-phthalimido) butyl]-piperazine hydrobromide (NAN-190) and granisetron, but not with (+/-)-atenolol or butoxamine. Further, the depletion of spinal 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) by pretreatment with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) significantly attenuated the inhibitory effect of intracisternally injected elcatonin on acetic acid-induced writhing behavior. These results suggest that the inhibitory descending serotonergic systems may be involved, through 5-HT1A and 5-HT3 receptors, in the production of an antinociceptive effect by centrally injected elcatonin.

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine↗
PubMed1999

Skin disposition of drugs after topical application in hairless rats.

Drug fraction transported from a topical formulation on skin to subcutaneous tissues or muscles is dependent on the physicochemical properties of the entrapped drug. Cutaneous disposition of model drugs, antipyrine (ANP), lidocaine (LC) and piroxicam (PXC) as well as flurbiprofen (FP) was thus evaluated in hairless rats in which an agar gel disc was subcutaneously inserted into the abdominal region as a drug receptor and a drug donor cell was placed above it. Time courses of plasma level and agar gel amount were measured after topical application of 50% ANP, 3% LC, 1% PXC and 1% FP in hydroxypropylcellulose gel. Percutaneous absorption clearance of unionized form, CLab* was proportional to true octanol/water distribution coefficient and the order of FP > PXC > LC > ANP, suggesting that skin permeation of the drug was determined mainly by its distribution from the formulation to the skin barrier. PXC, however, had a relatively low flux compared to the other three drugs, probably due to its high molecular weight and melting point. Migration clearance of unionized form from systemic circulation to the subcutaneous agar gel, CLg* was also influenced by the lipophilicity of drugs. On the other hand, fraction from the formulation to the systemic circulation was in the order of PXC > FP > ANP > LC. This fraction was much higher than the direct migration fraction from the formulation to the subcutaneous agar gel. Factors determining for these fractions are still unclear. A drug having a low lipophilicity and a low protein binding, however, had a tendency to have a great targeting ability to the subcutaneous agar gel. In addition, most of the drug in the agar gel was contributed by the direct flow from formulation, not from the systemic circulation. The present in situ experimental method is a useful tool to evaluate skin disposition of drugs. Detailed understanding of the skin disposition of drugs from several formulations will enable the findings of a good drug and formulation candidates.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1999

Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of 2-hydroxypropylphosphonic acid epoxidase from the fosfomycin-producing organism, Pseudomonas syringae PB-5123.

The fosfomycin resistance gene, fosC, has been cloned from the fosfomycin-producing organism, Pseudomonas syringae PB-5123. Sequence analysis upstream of this gene found a new ORF showing significant homology to 2-hydroxypropylphosphonic acid epoxidase from fosfomycin-producing Streptomyces wedmorensis. The purified recombinant protein of this ORF converted 2-hydroxypropylphosphonic acid to fosfomycin. This result clearly showed the ORF to encode 2-hydroxypropylphosphonic acid epoxidase in PB-5123.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Inhibitory effect of sulfur-containing compounds in Scorodocarpus borneensis Becc. on the aggregation of rabbit platelets.

The inhibitory effects of three pure compounds isolated from wood garlic, 2,4,5-trithiahexane (I), 2,4,5,7-tetrathiaoctane (II), and 2,4,5,7-tetrathiaoctane 2,2-dioxide (III), on rabbit platelet aggregation induced by collagen, arachidonic acid, U46619, ADP (adenosine 5'-diphosphate), PAF (platelet aggregating factor), and thrombin were studied in vitro. The anti-aggregating activity of 2,4,5,7-tetrathiaoctane 4,4-dioxide (IV) was also measured with collagen and arachidonic acid. I, II, III, and IV inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by all tested agonists. I, II, and III exhibited a stronger inhibitory effect against the thrombin-induced aggregation of GFP (gel-filtered platelets) than against the aggregation induced by the other agonists. Notably, the IC50 value for III was 4 microM, which is approximately 2.5 times stronger than MATS (methyl allyl trisulfide), a major anti-platelet compound isolated from garlic. In inhibiting collagen-induced aggregation, II was as potent as MATS and aspirin, with a marked disaggregation effect on the secondary aggregation by arachidonic acid, at the rate of 47.05%/min at a concentration of 10(-4) M. I, II, and III also suppressed U46619-induced aggregation. These results suggest that sulfur-containing compounds in wood garlic not only inhibit arachidonic acid metabolism but also suppress aggregation in association with the function of the platelet plasma membrane.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗
PubMed1999

Structures of N-linked oligosaccharides of glycoproteins from tobacco BY2 suspension cultured cells.

The structures of N-linked sugar chains of glycoproteins expressed in tobacco BY2 cultured cells are reported. Five pyridylaminated (PA-) N-linked sugar chains were derived and purified from hydrazinolysates of the glycoproteins by reversed-phase HPLC and size-fractionation HPLC. The structures of the PA-sugar chains purified were identified by two-dimensional PA-sugar chain mapping, ion-spray MS/MS analysis, and exoglycosidase digestions. The five structures fell into two categories; the major class (92.5% as molar ratio) was a xylose containing-type (Man3Fuc1 Xyl1GlcNAc2 (41.0%), GlcNAc2Man3Fuc1Xyl1GlcNAc2 (26.5%), GlcNAc1Man3Fuc1Xyl1GlcNAc2 (21.7%), Man3 Xyl1GlcNAc2 (3.3%)), and the minor class was a high-mannose type (Man5GlcNAc2 (7.5%)). This is the first report to show that alpha(1-->3) fucosylation of N-glycans does occur but beta(1-->4) galactosylation of the sugar chains does not in the tobacco cultured cells.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗
PubMed1999

The phylogeny of the cactophilic yeasts based on the 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequences: the proposals of Phaffomyces antillensis and Starmera caribaea, new combinations.

The complete sequences of the 18S rRNA gene fragments of the type strains of the cactophilic yeast species, Pichia antillensis, Pichia caribaea, Phaffomyces opuntiae, Phaffomyces thermotolerans, Starmera amethionina var. amethionina, and Starmera amethionina var. pachycereana were determined and compared. The type strain of Phaffomyces opuntiae had two kinds of the 18S rRNA gene sequences of which base differences were counted to be 15 and of which the percent similarity was calculated to be 99.1. The type strains of P. antillensis, P. caribaea, and Starmera amethionina var. pachycereana had the Q-7 system. The phylogenetic analyses showed that the genera Phaffomyces and Starmera were monophyletic and distant from each other and from the other species examined of the ascogenous teleomorphic genera, and that P. antillensis and P. caribaea were included within the clusters of the genera Phaffomyces and Starmera, respectively. The two Pichia species were transferred to the genera Phaffomyces and Starmera as the new combinations, Phaffomyces antillensis and Starmera caribaea. The new family Phaffomycetaceae was proposed as the type genus Phaffomyces.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1999

The role of alcohol dehydrogenase 2 and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 genotypes in alcohol-induced vasospastic angina.

Alcohol ingestion often provokes attacks in patients with vasospastic angina. Type 2 aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) deficiency, which is based on a single point mutation (Glu487Lys) of the ALDH2 gene, is common in the Japanese population, but rare among the Caucasian population. We investigated how the genotype of ALDH2 affects the characteristics of alcohol-induced vasospastic angina. Ninety-one patients with vasospastic angina who had ingested alcohol daily or occasionally were studied. Patients had been diagnosed as vasospastic angina by a provocation test with an intracoronary injection of ergonovine or acetylcholine during coronary angiography. The Glu487Lys mutation was detected by allele specific PCR. We interviewed the patients to obtain information concerning the relationship between alcohol ingestion and anginal attacks. Alcohol ingestion induced attacks in 16 of 66 patients without the Glu487Lys mutation, 8 of 22 in heterozygotes, and 1 of 3 in mutant homozygotes. The intervals between alcohol ingestion and the onset of anginal attacks were shorter in homozygotes (0.17 hours) and heterozygotes (1.5+/-0.6 hours) for ALDH2*2 than in normal homozygotes for ALDH2*1 (5.4+/-0.6 hours). The amount of ethanol which induced attacks was significantly greater in normal homozygotes than in homozygotes (11 ml) and heterozygotes (42.5+/-7.1 ml) for ALDH2*2 (96.1+/-13.4 ml in normal patients). The frequency of anginal attacks induced by alcohol ingestion did not differ between ALDH deficient and normal homozygotes. In ALDH deficient patients, however, anginal attacks were induced by a smaller amount of alcohol immediately after its ingestion. Thus, the ALDH2 genotype modifies the characteristics of the anginal attacks as a co-factor for the induction of vasospastic angina after alcohol ingestion.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1999

Clinicopathologic significance of protein induced vitamin K absence or antagonist II and alpha-fetoprotein in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Protein induced vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA-II) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) have been considered useful serum markers of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we examined the clinicopathologic significance of these tumour markers in patients with HCCs by measuring their serum levels and performing immunohistochemistry. We studied 349 Japanese patients with HCCs. Their serum PIVKA-II and AFP levels were determined by enzyme immunoassay before treatment. We examined the correlations between serum PIVKA-II and AFP levels and tumour size, presence of satellite nodules, histologic HCC grade, and concomitant liver diseases and subjected tumour tissues to immunohistochemical staining to detect PIVKA-II and AFP expression. The serum PIVKA-II levels of patients with poorly differentiated HCCs were significantly higher than those of patients with well and moderately differentiated HCCs (p<0.05) and they were higher in HCC patients with than without satellite nodules. The serum AFP levels were influenced significantly by concomitant liver diseases, but not by the other factors. Immunohistochemical staining revealed the PIVKA-II expression levels of poorly differentiated HCCs were higher than those of well and moderately differentiated HCCs (p<0.05). Some HCC cells were PIVKA-II-positive, others were AFP-positive, and some expressed both. The serum PIVKA-II concentration was a better indicator of HCC than AFP, as it was not influenced by concomitant liver diseases. The presence of PIVKA-II in serum correlated with the presence of satellite nodules and the histologic HCC grade, a result concordant with the immunohistochemical findings.

Aged↗