Brief Reports
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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 7, 2005; 11(21): 3293-3296
Published online Jun 7, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i21.3293
Expression of bcl-2 oncogene in gastric precancerous lesions and its correlation with syndromes in traditional Chinese medicine
Ling Hu, Shao-Xian Lao, Chun-Zhi Tang
Ling Hu, Shao-Xian Lao, Chun-Zhi Tang, Institute of the Spleen and Stomach, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the Major Programs of Guangzhou University of TCM and the National Key Technologies Research and Development Program of China during the 8th Five-Year Plan Period, No. GH0016 and 85-919-01-01
Correspondence to: Ling Hu, Institute of the Spleen and Stomach, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 12 Jichang Road, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong Province, China. pqhl@yahoo.com.cn
Telephone: +86-20-36585444
Received: July 20, 2004
Revised: July 21, 2004
Accepted: September 19, 2004
Published online: June 7, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To observe the protein and mRNA expression of bcl-2 oncogene in gastric precancerous lesions (GPL) and to analyze its correlation with syndromes in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

METHODS: Sixty-seven patients with GPL confirmed by gastroscopy and pathology were studied, including 39 cases of moderate gastric mucosal dysplasia, 19 cases of severe gastric mucosa dysplasia, 9 cases of incomplete colon metaplasia. In syndrome differentiation of TCM, 17 cases belonged to the syndrome of qi and yin deficiency of the spleen and stomach complicated by qi stagnation, 21 cases belonged to the syndrome of qi and yin deficiency of the spleen and stomach complicated by stomach heat, 29 cases belonged to the syndrome of qi and yin deficiency of the spleen and stomach complicated by blood stasis. Protein and mRNA expression of bcl-2 oncogene were detected by labeled streptavidin biotin (LSAB) immunohist-ochemistry and in situ hybridization respectively.

RESULTS: Abnormal expression of protein and mRNA on bcl-2 oncogene was found in GPL, which increased gradually with the course of lesions. In moderate and severe gastric mucosal dysplasia and incomplete colon metaplasia, there was no difference in the expression of bcl-2 oncogene (P>0.05). In different accompanying syndromes, the expression of protein and mRNA on bcl-2 oncogene increased gradually in the following order: deficiency of both qi and yin of the spleen and stomach accompanying qi stagnation → stomach heat → blood stasis. In GPL, compared with accompanying blood stasis, there was an obvious difference in the expression of bcl-2 oncogene between the syndrome of qi and yin deficiency of the spleen and stomach and accompanying stomach heat, so did accompanying qi stagnation (the level of protein: χ2 = 8.45, P<0.05; the level of mRNA: χ2 = 7.35, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Apoptosis-associated bcl-2 oncogene is abnormally expressed in GPL, which correlates with different accompanying syndromes in TCM.

Keywords: Stomach neoplasm/genetics, Stomach neoplasm/therapy of TCM, Precancerous condition/pathology, Oncogene bcl-2, Syndrome of TCM