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Focal hepatic glycogenosis
1UNIV HEIDELBERG, INST PATHOL, D-6900 HEIDELBERG, GERMANY. UNIV HANNOVER, DEPT SURG, HANNOVER, GERMANY. UNIV HEIDELBERG, DEPT SURG, D-6900 HEIDELBERG, GERMANY.
International Journal of Oncology
|May 3, 2011
Summary
Foci of altered hepatocytes (FAH) with focal hepatic glycogenosis are found in human livers, particularly in patients with liver cancer and cirrhosis. These lesions show reduced glycogen breakdown enzymes, suggesting a role in hepatocyte neoplastic transformation.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology and Cancer Research
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Background:
- Foci of altered hepatocytes (FAH), including those with focal hepatic glycogenosis, are recognized preneoplastic lesions in animal models of liver cancer.
- Their presence and characteristics in human livers, especially in relation to liver diseases, require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence and characteristics of FAH with focal hepatic glycogenosis in human livers.
- To compare the enzyme histochemical profiles of FAH and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Main Methods:
- Histological and histochemical analyses of 67 explanted and 2 resected human livers.
- Enzyme histochemistry to assess the activity of various enzymes in FAH and HCC.
Main Results:
- FAH were frequently detected in livers with HCC (14/14) and cirrhosis (21/42), but not in donor livers.
- FAH showed significantly increased cell proliferation and consistent reductions in glycogen phosphorylase (98%) and glucose-6-phosphatase (95%) activity.
- HCC exhibited distinct enzyme patterns, including increased mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, differing from FAH.
Conclusions:
- Focal hepatic glycogenosis in humans is a putative preneoplastic lesion, mirroring findings in animal models.
- This condition appears to be an early step in hepatocyte neoplastic transformation, involving metabolic shifts.
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