| Objective The study was undertaken to detect the expression of Rac1 and VEGF in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to correlate this expression with the postoperative recurrence of HCC as well as Micro vessel density(MVD) and Ki-67 LI. To explore the role of Rac1 and VEGF in tumor angiogenesis, tumor invasion and metastasis.Methods The expression of Rac1,VEGF,CD34 and Ki-67 in 43 specimens of HCC,43 specimens of adjacent nontumorous liver tissue and 21 specimens of normal liver tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Then to make a quantitative analysis of the expression of Rac1 and VEGF by accessing their mean optical density (MOD). To determine MVD by labeling the vascular endothelial cells with CD34. To study the cell proliferation by Ki-67 LI.Results 1,The expression of Rac1 protein was mainly located in HCC tissue cytoplasm, and MOD in HCC tissue was markedly higher than in adjacent nontumorous liver tissue (P<0.01),also higher than in normal liver tissue(P<0.01). The expression of Rac1 protein in HCC tissue was positively correlated with the expression of Rac1 protein in HCC tissue (r=0.583,P<0.01). Moreover, it was positively correlated with MVD (r =0.490,P<0.01)and Ki-67 LI(r=0.466,P<0.01).2,The expression of VEGF protein was higher in HCC tissue than in adjacent nontumorous liver tissue and normal liver tissue, and the difference was significant (P<0.01,P<0.01). It was positively correlated with MVD (r =0.355,P<0.05). It had no correlation with Ki-67 LI. 3,CD34 was mainly expressed in HCC capillary vessels and its adjacent nontumorous liver tissue blood sinusoids. The CD34-labeled microvessel density (MVD) was positively correlated with Ki-67 LI (r=0.305,P<0.05). 4,Ki-67 was mainly expressed in hepatic nuclei of HCC tissues. Conclusions 1,The expression of Rac1 protein was mainly in HCC.It was closely correlated with cellular proliferation, pathologic grade,tumor angiogenesis, and it enhanced the ability of invasion and metastasis, it also was contributed to the postoperative recurrence of HCC. 2,The expression of VEGF protein was mainly in HCC.It was closely correlated with tumor angiogenesis, and it enhanced the ability of invasion and metastasis, it also was contributed to the postoperative recurrence of HCC. 3,MVD correlated with tumor size , pathologic grade , cellular proliferation,portal vein tumor thrombin and postoperative recurrence of HCC. 4,Ki-67 LI was correlated with portal vein tumor thrombin and postoperative recurrence of HCC. 5,Rac1 promoted tumor angiogenesis through up-regulation of VEGF expression,and it was associated with HCC invasion and metastasis. 6,The expression of Rac1,VEGF,MVD and Ki-67 LI may be used as the useful predictor of invasion,metastasis and postoperative recurrence in patients with HCC. |
