OBJECTIVES: The characteristics of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in many carcinomas have been reported to be different from those in normal tissues, which can be used as prognostic indices in some cancers. However, the difference in GAG characteristics among various differentiation status or histological types of the same cancer has not been described. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between GAG characteristics and human primary hepatic carcinomas of divers differentiation status or histological type. METHODS: GAGs from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas and differently differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas were extracted, purified and enzymatically digested. Their content, relative molecular size distribution and disaccharide composition were analyzed and compared using electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: A progressive increase in the content of chondroitin sulfate, low molecular size GAGs, and nonsulfated and disulfated chondroitin sulfate disaccharide units, together with a gradual decrease in heparan sulfate, have been found as the differentiation status of hepatocellular carcinoma became poorer. A significant increase in hyaluronic acid, which only slightly increased in hepatocellular carcinoma, was found in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas. CONCLUSION: The alterations in GAG characteristics in primary hepatic carcinoma were associated with both the differentiation status and the histological type of the tumor. (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel
OBJECTIVES: The characteristics of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in many carcinomas have been reported to be different from those in normal tissues, which can be used as prognostic indices in some cancers. However, the difference in GAG characteristics among various differentiation status or histological types of the same cancer has not been described. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between GAG characteristics and human primary hepatic carcinomas of divers differentiation status or histological type. METHODS:GAGs from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas and differently differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas were extracted, purified and enzymatically digested. Their content, relative molecular size distribution and disaccharide composition were analyzed and compared using electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: A progressive increase in the content of chondroitin sulfate, low molecular size GAGs, and nonsulfated and disulfated chondroitin sulfate disaccharide units, together with a gradual decrease in heparan sulfate, have been found as the differentiation status of hepatocellular carcinoma became poorer. A significant increase in hyaluronic acid, which only slightly increased in hepatocellular carcinoma, was found in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas. CONCLUSION: The alterations in GAG characteristics in primary hepatic carcinoma were associated with both the differentiation status and the histological type of the tumor. (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel