Objective: To provide the basis for studying the relationship between gonadotropin releasing hormone(GnRH) and the regulation of hepatocarcinoma cell proliferation and differentiation, we observed the localization and distribution of GnRH and its receptor(GnRH-R) in various differentiated hepatocarcinoma tissues.
Methods: GnRH and its receptor were detected in 33 hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) by immunohistochemical SABC technique.
Results: GnRH and its receptor had the same distributive pattern in hepatocarcinoma cells. The positive signal was found mainly on the surface and in the cytoplasm of hepatoma cells, with enhanced staining in the cytoplasm surrounding the nucleus; no positive signal was revealed in the nucleus. The GnRH positive rate (94%; 16/17) of edmondson grade I-II HCC was higher than that of grade III HCC (50%; 5/10) and grade IV HCC(17%; 1/6), (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001 respectively). In grades I-II HCC GnRH-R positive rate was 88% (15/17), which was higher than 17% (1/6) in grade IV HCC (P < 0.01). Although GnRH and GnRH-R positive rates in every grade HCC were lower than those in their related peri-cancerous tissues, the differences were not significant (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: The expression of GnRH and GnRH-R in the tissues of hepatocarcinoma is related to their degree of differentiation.