The Relativity Between Helicobacter Species And Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and Helicobacter species. Methods : 1. liver samples from 80 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma and 13 without primary hepatocellular carcinoma as controls were studied. Tissue samples were firstly submitted to microaerobic culturing. Then, A 16S rDNA-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by DNA sequence analysis of the obtained PCR fragments was performed . A developed search for Helicobacter pyloriwas also carried out by PCR. Five genes specific for Helicobacter pylori were amplified. 2. The immunohistochemical staining for H. pylori was performed in liver samples. 3. Electron microscope for H. pylori was performed in liver samples. Results: 1. The helicobacters were not successfully cultured . 2. 48.75% (39/80) samples of carcinoma and 47.5% (38/80) samples of paracarcinoma tissue were positive for Helicobacter-specific 16S rRNA gene, while none was positive in controls (P<0. 01) . And the 16S rRNA gene also was detectable in 38 paracarcinoma tissue. Sequence analysis of these PCR products obtained from HCC patients indicated that they were related most closely to the 16S rDNA sequence of Helicobacter pylori. Analysis indicated a significant difference in the presence of Helicobacter-species- specific DNA in the liver of patients with HCC compared with controls. 25% (20/80) samples of carcinoma and paracarcinoma tissue were both positive, and 45% (36/80) samples of carcinoma or paracarcinoma tissue were...