Background/aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma may develop in patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Active hepatitis is an important etiologic factor in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. We measured ornithine decarboxylase activity, an important enzyme during cell proliferation, in non-cancerous hepatic tissue in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
Methodology: Thirty-four patients who underwent liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma were the subjects of this study. Hepatitis B surface antigen was detected in 7 patients (HBV group) and hepatitis C virus antibody was detected in 27 patients (HCV group). Tissue ornithine decarboxylase activity was measured. Histologic severity in active hepatitis (activity score) and degree of fibrosis (staging score) were determined.
Results: Ornithine decarboxylase activity was significantly higher in the HCV group than in the HBV and control groups. In all patients, ornithine decarboxylase activity correlated directly with the histologic activity score and the histologic staging score. In the HCV group, ornithine decarboxylase activity correlated with the histologic activity score.
Conclusions: Ornithine decarboxylase activity in non-cancerous hepatic tissue correlated with the severity of active hepatitis and degree of fibrosis. In patients with hepatitis C virus, active hepatitis with increased ornithine decarboxylase activity is an important factor in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.