Plasma amino acid patterns in hepatocellular carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Oncology
• Clinical Nutrition

Background:

• Altered plasma amino acid profiles are observed in various diseases, including liver cirrhosis.
• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant global health concern often associated with underlying liver disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate plasma amino acid levels in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
• To compare these levels with those in normal subjects and liver cirrhosis patients.
• To assess the impact of intraarterial chemotherapy and/or transcatheter arterial embolization on amino acid profiles in HCC.

Main Methods:

• Plasma amino acid concentrations were measured in 23 HCC patients, 16 healthy controls, and 17 liver cirrhosis patients.
• Statistical comparisons were made between the groups.
• Amino acid levels were re-evaluated after treatment in HCC patients.

Main Results:

• HCC patients exhibited elevated aromatic amino acids and decreased branched-chain amino acids, similar to liver cirrhosis.
• Significantly lower levels of alanine and glutamine were found in HCC patients compared to both normal subjects and liver cirrhosis patients.
• Post-treatment, plasma alanine and glutamine levels showed recovery in HCC patients.

Conclusions:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with distinct alterations in plasma amino acid metabolism, including reduced alanine and glutamine.
• The observed depletion of alanine and glutamine suggests increased consumption by the tumor.
• Treatment modalities like intraarterial chemotherapy and embolization may positively influence amino acid homeostasis in HCC.