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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 14, 2006; 12(38): 6198-6202
Published online Oct 14, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i38.6198
Expression of p53, Bax and Bcl-2 proteins in hepatocytes in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Anatol Panasiuk, Janusz Dzieciol, Bozena Panasiuk, Danuta Prokopowicz
Anatol Panasiuk, Bozena Panasiuk, Danuta Prokopowicz, Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Białystok, Poland
Janusz Dzieciol, Department of Human Anatomy, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland
Correspondence to: Anatol Panasiuk, MD, Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Bialystok, Zurawia Str. 14, Bialystok 15-540, Poland. anatol@panasiuk.pl
Telephone: +48-85-7416921 Fax: +48-85-7416921
Received: March 10, 2006
Revised: March 28, 2006
Accepted: April 21, 2006
Published online: October 14, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To analyze the protein expression essential for apoptosis in liver steatosis.

METHODS: The expression of proapoptotic proteins p53, Bax, and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 in hepatocytes with steatosis (SH) and without steatosis (NSH) was evaluated in 84 patients at various stages of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining of liver tissue showed the activation of p53 protein in SH and NSH with increased liver steatosis, diminished Bcl-2 and slightly decreased Bax protein. Positive correlation was found between the stage of liver steatosis with p53 expression in SH (r = 0.54, P < 0.01) and NSH (r = 0.49, P < 0.01). The antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 was diminished together with the advancement of liver steatosis, especially in non-steatosed hepatocytes (r =0.43, P < 001).

CONCLUSION: Apoptosis is one of the most important mechanisms leading to hepatocyte elimination in NAFLD. The intensification of inflammation in NAFLD induces proapoptotic protein p53 with the inhibition of antiapoptotic Bcl-2.

Keywords: Apoptosis, Non-alcoholic liver disease, p53, Bcl-2, Bax, Immunohistochemistry