Iori Gotoh

The Significance of the Determination of AFP· Isoform in the Early Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

To evaluate the significance of the determination of the AFP-isoform in the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the AFP-isoform was determined in 48 patients with HCC and in 53 patients with liver cirrhosis, using the lectin electrophoresis of AFP by antibody-affinity blotting technique. 1. The HCC-type AFP-isoform was detected in 44 of the 48 patients with HCC, 2. In about 30% of the patients with HCC, the HCC-type AFP-isoform appeared 3-10 months before the graphic diagnosis of HCC, 3. In about 60% of the patients with liver cirrhosis found to have the HCC-type AFP-isoform, HCC developed within one year. Thus, the serial determination of the AFP-isoform in patients with liver cirrhosis was considered very useful for the early diagnosis of HCC.

Texture Analysis of Laparoscopic Images in Chronic Liver Disease

Determination of the site of progression of chronic liver disease is important for prognosis. In the present study we used texture analysis to quantitatively assess progression based on the appearance of the surface of the liver during laparoscopy. A total of 34 chronic liver disease patients who underwent laparoscopic examinations over a 2‐year period were enrolled in this study. Their laparoscopic photographs were classified into a chronic hepatitis or a liver cirrhosis group, and image analysis was performed with intraoperative photographs of laparotomy patients without associated liver disease serving as the normal control group. The photographs of the 3 groups were input into a digital image processorr (NEXUS6400) by a film scanner, and the image data obtained were analyzed by the gray level difference method, the run length method, and fractal number. Significant differences were observed between the quantitative values in the three groups by each of these methods, but it was not possible to evaluate fine changes at the liver surface occurring during the progression of chronic hepatitis to liver cirrhosis.

Glutaminase and Glutamine Synthetase Activities During Azo-Dye Hepatocarcinogenesis in Rat

The activities of glutaminase and glutamine synthetase were determined in rats during induction of carcinogenesis by azo-dye. In the hepatoma tissue, the activities of phosphate-dependent glutaminase (PDG) and phosphate-independent glutaminase (PIG) significantly increased compared with those in normal appearing liver tissue. Increases of the two glutaminases were well correlated to serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels. Furthermore, the difference of glutaminase isoenzyme form was demonstrated by electrophoresis using antibody to PDG extracted rat brain. On the other hand, glutamine synthetase activity was markedly decreased in the hepatoma tissue.