[Expression of bcl-2, bax and hepatocyte apoptosis in the liver tissues of hepatitis D patients].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To study the role of bcl-2, bax and hepatocyte apoptosis in the pathogenesis of hepatitis D.

METHODS:

Expression of HDAg, bcl-2, bax, and hepatocyte apoptosis in liver specimens of 77 patients with hepatitis D were studied by immunohistochemistry, double labelling and serial sections, and TUNEL assay. Six-seven hepatitis B patients served as control.

RESULTS:

Bcl-2 and bax were mainly expressed in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes, and HDAg mainly in the nucleus of hepatocytes. A large number of HDAg and bax positive cells were distributed among infiltrating lymphocytes at the periportal region in which many apoptosis hepatocytes were found. There were positive correlations between the expression of bax, HDAg and hepatocyte apoptosis (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

The distribution and the expression of bax, HDAg and hepatocyte apoptosis are significantly correlated with the activity of inflammation and the severity of the liver damage. Hepatitis D virus infection may induce the expression of bax in the hepatocytes and exacerbate hepatocyte apoptosis through which take a part in the pathogenesis of hepatitis D.

• Authors: X Gu, Q Li, Y Wang
• Journal: Zhonghua gan zang bing za zhi = Zhonghua ganzangbing zazhi = Chinese journal of hepatology (Zhonghua Gan Zang Bing Za Zhi) Vol. 9 Issue 2 Pg. 81-3 (Apr 2001) ISSN: 1007-3418 [Print] China
• PMID: 11350683 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• BAX protein, human
• Hepatitis Antigens
• Hepatitis delta Antigens
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
• bcl-2-Associated X Protein
• hepatitis delta virus large antigen

Topics

• Apoptosis
• Hepatitis Antigens (analysis)
• Hepatitis D (metabolism, pathology)
• Hepatitis delta Antigens
• Hepatocytes (pathology)
• Humans
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins (analysis)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 (analysis)
• bcl-2-Associated X Protein