Abstract
Mice deficient in CuZn superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) showed no overt abnormalities during development and early adulthood, but had a reduced lifespan and increased incidence of neoplastic changes in the liver. Greater than 70% of Sod1-/- mice developed liver nodules that were either nodular hyperplasia or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Cross-sectional studies with livers collected from Sod1-/- and age-matched +/+ controls revealed extensive oxidative damage in the cytoplasm and, to a lesser extent, in the nucleus and mitochondria from as early as 3 months of age. A marked reduction in cytosolic aconitase, increased levels of 8-oxo dG and F2-isoprostanes, and a moderate reduction in glutathione peroxidase activities and porin levels were observed in all age groups of Sod1-/- mice examined. There were also age-related reductions in Mn superoxide dismutase activities and carbonic anhydrase III. Parallel to the biochemical changes, there were progressive increases in the DNA repair enzyme APEX1, the cell cycle control proteins cyclin D1 and D3, and the hepatocyte growth factor receptor Met. Increased cell proliferation in the presence of persistent oxidative damage to macromolecules likely contributes to hepatocarcinogenesis later in life.
Highlights
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide (Murray and Lopez, 1997; Levy et al, 2002) and accounts for approximately 84% of all liver cancers
The role of ROS in hepatocarcinogenesis is supported by an electron paramagnetic resonance study on patients with chronic hepatitis and at different stages of malignant transformation (Valgimigli et al, 2002)
CuZn superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) levels may play an important role in the development and prognosis of hepatocarcinogenesis
Summary
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide (Murray and Lopez, 1997; Levy et al, 2002) and accounts for approximately 84% of all liver cancers. Increased oxidative stress is common among liver diseases that precede the development of liver tumors, the molecular mechanisms of ROSmediated hepatocarcinogenesis remain poorly understood. Cancer cells usually have low activities of two major antioxidant enzymes, CuZn superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) and Mn superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) (Sun et al, 1993; Oberley, 2001), and overexpression of the SODs in transformed cells has been shown to reduce both malignancy and metastatic activity (Oberley, 2001; Zhang et al, 2002). The role of ROS in hepatocarcinogenesis is supported by an electron paramagnetic resonance study on patients with chronic hepatitis and at different stages of malignant transformation (Valgimigli et al, 2002). CuZnSOD levels may play an important role in the development and prognosis of hepatocarcinogenesis
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