The expression of bcl-2 and bax genes during microcystin induced liver tumorigenesis
Hu, Z.; Chen, H.; Li, Y.; Gao, L.; Sun, C.
Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi 36(4): 239-242
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-9624 PMID: 12411203 Document Number: 543488
Objective: To study the molecular mechanism of microcystin (MC) induced liver tumorigenesis in rats. Methods: The two-stage-medium-term tumorigenesis theory was applied to establish the animal model, and the effect of MC in liver tumor formation was evaluated by the Albert gamma-GT methods, and then, the immunohistochemical technique and image analysis were used to study the expression of the bcl-2 and bax genes during tumorigenesis. Results: (1) MC enhanced the formation of gamma-GT foci in liver (100%), which was significantly higher than the diethylnitrosamine (DEN) control group (22.22%) (P<0.05). (2) MC decreased the expression of bax gene. The intensity and area of bax gene expression in the pure MC toxin group were 0.028 3 AODV and 0.007 3 (mum2/mum2) and in the DEN control group were 0.065 5 AODV and 0.024 4 (mum2/mum2), respectively. The intensity and areas of box gene expression in the pure MC toxin group were significantly lower than those in the DEN control group (P<0.05). (3) MC increased the expression of bcl-2 gene. The intensity and area of bcl-2 gene expression in the pure MC toxin group wee 0.097 7 AODV and 0.031 5 (mum2/mum2), respectively, and in the DEN control group were 0.046 0 AODV and 0.020 5 (mum2/mum2) respectively (P< 0.05) Conclusion: (1) MC can strongly promote liver tumorigenesis. (2) The changes of bcl-2 and bax gene expression possibly play an important role in the MC induced liver tumor formation.