BACKGROUND: Cyclooxygenase-2 may play a role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, but the relationship between cyclooxygenase-2 and chronic hepatitis B is unknown. AIM: To investigate the expression and cellular localization of cyclooxygenase-2 in chronic hepatitis B patients and the effects of anti-viral therapy. METHODS: Using immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, protein and messenger RNA expression and cellular localization of cyclooxygenase-2 in 35 chronic hepatitis B patients were assessed. Fourteen histologically normal and non-viral-infected livers were used as controls. The cyclooxygenase-2 immunoreactivities of paired liver biopsies from 12 patients receiving anti-viral therapy were compared. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization revealed that cyclooxygenase-2 expression was confined to hepatocytes. Patients with chronic hepatitis B had significantly higher cyclooxygenase-2 expression compared with controls. The cyclooxygenase-2 expression of hepatitis B e antigen-positive and -negative chronic hepatitis B patients was not significantly different, although the necro-inflammatory activity of the latter group was significantly lower. Over-expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in patients with chronic hepatitis B was further confirmed by Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Twelve hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic hepatitis B patients received anti-viral therapy: lamivudine in seven and interferon in five. Despite hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion, disappearance of hepatitis B virus DNA in serum, normalization of liver enzymes and a significant reduction in necro-inflammatory activity in all 12 patients, no significant change in cyclooxygenase-2 expression was found. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic hepatitis B is associated with elevated cyclooxygenase-2 levels in hepatocytes, and the over-expression of this enzyme does not reflect inflammatory activity. Up-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 persists after successful anti-viral therapy.
BACKGROUND:Cyclooxygenase-2 may play a role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, but the relationship between cyclooxygenase-2 and chronic hepatitis B is unknown. AIM: To investigate the expression and cellular localization of cyclooxygenase-2 in chronic hepatitis Bpatients and the effects of anti-viral therapy. METHODS: Using immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, protein and messenger RNA expression and cellular localization of cyclooxygenase-2 in 35 chronic hepatitis Bpatients were assessed. Fourteen histologically normal and non-viral-infected livers were used as controls. The cyclooxygenase-2 immunoreactivities of paired liver biopsies from 12 patients receiving anti-viral therapy were compared. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization revealed that cyclooxygenase-2 expression was confined to hepatocytes. Patients with chronic hepatitis B had significantly higher cyclooxygenase-2 expression compared with controls. The cyclooxygenase-2 expression of hepatitis B e antigen-positive and -negative chronic hepatitis Bpatients was not significantly different, although the necro-inflammatory activity of the latter group was significantly lower. Over-expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in patients with chronic hepatitis B was further confirmed by Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Twelve hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic hepatitis Bpatients received anti-viral therapy: lamivudine in seven and interferon in five. Despite hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion, disappearance of hepatitis B virus DNA in serum, normalization of liver enzymes and a significant reduction in necro-inflammatory activity in all 12 patients, no significant change in cyclooxygenase-2 expression was found. CONCLUSIONS:Chronic hepatitis B is associated with elevated cyclooxygenase-2 levels in hepatocytes, and the over-expression of this enzyme does not reflect inflammatory activity. Up-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 persists after successful anti-viral therapy.
Authors: Jun Yu; Alex Y Hui; Eagle S H Chu; Alfred S L Cheng; Minnie Y Y Go; Henry L Y Chan; Wai K Leung; Kin F Cheung; Arthur K K Ching; Yiu L Chui; Ka K Chan; Joseph J Y Sung Journal: Gut Date: 2006-12-05 Impact factor: 23.059
Authors: Soung Won Jeong; Jae Young Jang; Sae Hwan Lee; Sang Gyun Kim; Young Koog Cheon; Young Seok Kim; Young Deok Cho; Hong Soo Kim; Joon Seong Lee; So-Young Jin; Chan Sup Shim; Boo Sung Kim Journal: Korean J Intern Med Date: 2010-11-27 Impact factor: 2.884