Expression of glutathione S-transferase placental mRNA in hepatic preneoplastic lesions in rats.

AIM:To detect glutathione S-transferase placental (GST-P) mRNA expression in hepatic preneoplastic lesions in rats.
METHODS: Using Solit-Farber model, the GST-P mRNA expression was observed in hepatic preneoplastic lesions induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in rats and normal and regenerated hepatic tissues in the control group by in situ hybridization.
RESULTS: GST-P mRNA was mainly expressed in altered hepatic foci (AHF) and some of the oval cells in hepatic preneoplastic lesions and the extent of its expression was different among various foci or/and positive cells in the same focus whereas no expression was observed in normal and regenerated hepatic tissues.
CONCLUSION: Cells in AHF and oval cells may be the preneoplastic cells in the experimental hepatocellular carcinoma at the molecular level and heterogeneity exists in GST-P transcription levels.