Expression And Clinical Implication Of Connexin 43 In Adrenocortical Tumors

Forty adrenocortical tumors samples excised by operation and confirmed by pathology from August 2004 to March of 2006 in our hospital were selected. Including 27 adenomas, 3 adrenocortical cancers and 10 normal adrenal tissues. 18 men are among them and women are 22; Age is from 14 years old to 72 years old, the mean age is 48.6 years old; In 27 cases of adenoma, 6 tumors of cortisol, accounts for 22%; 14 aldosterone tumors, accounts for 52%; 7 non-function tumors, accounts for 26%. There are 13 of typical clinical manifestation, accounts for 48%. The diameter 1- 14 cm of tumor, average 4.7cm. Using Enhance Labeled Polymer System measure expression of Cx43 in the samples of adrenocortical tumors excised. Result reveal Cx43 reduce sequentially in normal adrenal tissue, benign adenoma and adrenocortical cancer, the difference between each other is statistical significant (P<0.05). Cx 43 might serve as a very useful diagnostic marker to distinguish adrenocortical tumors' malignancy level. And that adrenocortical tumors have cell to cell communication defect might become the theoretical basis to develop new therapeutic method.