Ornithine decarboxylase activity in the non-cancerous hepatic tissue of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Background/Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma may develop in patients with chro nic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Active hepatitis is an important etiologic fac tor in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. We measured ornithine d ecarboxylase activity was important enzyme during cell proliferation, in no n-cancerous hepatic tissue in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Methodology: Thirty-four patients who underwent liver resection for hepatoc ellular carcinoma were the subjects of this study. Hepatitis B surface anti gen was detected in 7 patients (HBV group) and hepatitis C virus antibody w as detected in 27 patients (HCV group). Tissue ornithine decarboxylase acti vity 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 H CV group than in the HBV and control groups. In all patients, ornithine dec arboxylase 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 tiss ue correlated with the severity of active hepatitis and degree of fibrosis. In patients with hepatitis C virus, active hepatitis with increased ornith ine decarboxylase activity is an important factor in the development of hep atocellular carcinoma.