Study of Potential Role of Estrogen Receptors and Cycloxygenase-2 in the Pathogenesis of Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Female Rats
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- Category: Vol. 83, March 2015
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Study of Potential Role of Estrogen Receptors and Cycloxygenase-2 in the Pathogenesis of Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Female Rats, MAGDA M. EL HAMZAWI, HEBA M. SHAWKY, LAILA A. RASHED, AMAL F. TAWADROUS and MOHAMED M. MA'MOUN
Abstract
Objective: Increased incidence of liver cancer is a chal-lenge, prompting attempts to understand the pathogenesis of this disease in order at least to stop its progression. In early studies, the influence of estrogens has been linked for the increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma as a sequel of oral contraceptive application. Therefore, the aim of the present work is to test the possible effects of tamoxifen (estrogen receptor modulator) in the pathogenesis of induced HCC in female rats.
Material and Methods: Twenty four female rats were involved in the current study weighting 170-240 grams. These rats were sectioned into the subsequent groups: Group 1: (Control group) which represented the placebo group, Group II: (HCC group) represented the untreated induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) group, Group III: (HCC + tamoxifen) represented the induced HCC group supplemented with tamoxifen (estrogen receptor modulator). Among pa-rameters evaluated in the current study were the serum levels of a-fetoprotein, estrogen. Also hepatic tissues were screened for assessment of gene expression of estrogen receptor and COX-2.
Results: Supplementation with tamoxifen had been asso-ciated with significant decrease in COX-2 gene expression in contrast to estrogen receptor gene expression which was significantly increased. This is consequently was reflected in the attenuation of histopathological state as well as biochemical analysis as regards decreasing serum level of AFP (tumor marker).
Conclusion: Tamoxifen may be beneficial in the early stages of the disease but its prolonged administration has to be focused in the further studies.