Abstract
BackgroundPeroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) regulates lipid metabolism in the liver. It is unclear, however, how this receptor changes in liver cancer tissue. On the other hand, mouse carcinogenicity studies showed that PPARα is necessary for the development of liver cancer induced by peroxisome proliferators, and the relationship between PPARα and the development of liver cancer have been the focus of considerable attention. There have been no reports, however, demonstrating that PPARα is involved in the development of human liver cancer.MethodsThe subjects were 10 patients who underwent hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma. We assessed the expression of PPARα mRNA in human hepatocellular carcinoma tissue and non-cancerous tissue, as well as the expression of target genes of PPARα, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A and cyclin D1 mRNAs. We also evaluated glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, a key enzyme in the glycolytic system.ResultsThe amounts of PPARα, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase mRNA in cancerous sections were significantly increased compared to those in non-cancerous sections. The level of cyclin D1 mRNA tends to be higher in cancerous than non-cancerous sections. Although there was a significant correlation between the levels of PPARα mRNA and cyclin D1 mRNA in both sections, however the correlation was higher in cancerous sections.ConclusionThe present investigation indicated increased expression of PPARα mRNA and mRNAs for PPARα target genes in human hepatocellular carcinoma. These results might be associated with its carcinogenesis and characteristic features of energy production.
Highlights
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor a (PPARa) regulates lipid metabolism in the liver
How PPARa and other factors are associated with metabolic changes in liver cancer tissues, and the question of the kinds of changes that occur in energy metabolism as liver cells become cancerous is one of great interest
From carcinogenesis experiments using mice it is well known that PPARa is necessary for development of liver cancer induced by peroxisome proliferators [9], and the relationship between PPARa and the development of liver cancer has been the focus of considerable attention
Summary
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor a (PPARa) regulates lipid metabolism in the liver. Among PPARs, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor a (PPARa) is found mainly in the liver, where it is known to regulate lipid metabolism [8]. It is unclear, how PPARa and other factors are associated with metabolic changes in liver cancer tissues, and the question of the kinds of changes that occur in energy metabolism as liver cells become cancerous is one of great interest. From carcinogenesis experiments using mice it is well known that PPARa is necessary for development of liver cancer induced by peroxisome proliferators [9], and the relationship between PPARa and the development of liver cancer has been the focus of considerable attention. There have been no reports, on findings in human liver cancer
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