Objective To study the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into control group and experimental group. 3′MeDAB was administrated into rats to establish the experimental model of hepatocarcinoma. The expressions of PCNA of different phases were detected by immunohistochemistry and the liver pathologic changes were observed by optical microscope. Results The process of canceration was divided into three stages: inflammation, proliferative fibrosis and hepatic carcinoma. The expression of PCNA firstly presented in the oval cells that located in the portal area at the stage of inflammation, and a part of PCNA were hyperexpressed in the portal area. The expression rate of PCNA in the middle phase of inflammatory stage was higher than that of any other phases but declined later. Yet, when it came to the stage of hepatic carcinoma, the rate increased again. Conclusion Under the experimental circumstance when liver cancer is caused by the carcinogenic agent, PCNA may be firstly expressed in the oval cells, and the dynamic expression of PCNA may be an indicator for the early diagnosis of hepatocarcinogenesis.
【Abstract】Objective To explore the distribution and migration of oval cells in progressive hepatic injury. Methods Sixty SD rats were divided into the control group (n=20) and experimental group (n=40). After the establishment of hepatic carcinoma models, C-kit was continuously detected by immunohistochemistry and the liver pathologic changes were regularly observed by optical microscopy.Results The hepatic surface was smooth with eumorphism in histology in the control group. The C-kit positive cells were occasionally found. In the experimental group, the oval cells with C-kit positive were initially discovered in the portal regions in the second week, and these cells proliferated along the bile duct epithelia. With the hepatic injury becoming more serious, the oval cells extended into the hepatic lobular regions from the portal regions. When hepatocellular carcinoma occurred，the majority were mixed carcinomas, and the oval cells were found inside and outside the carcinoma nodes. In this period, the most of C-kit positive cells still located in the portal regions. Conclusion ①The oval cells are the most sensitive cells for the hepatic injury. ②The oval cells which migrate unruly participate in the formation of hepatic pseudolobules. ③The oval cells play an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis.