Increased Expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 is Associated with the Progression to Cirrhosis

• Published in: The Korean journal of internal medicine Vol. 25; no. 4; pp. 364 - 371
• Main Authors: Jeong, Soung Won, Jang, Jae Young, Lee, Sae Hwan, Kim, Sang Gyun, Cheon, Young Koog, Kim, Young Seok, Cho, Young Deok, Kim, Hong Soo, Lee, Joon Seong, Jin, So-Young, Shim, Chan Sup, Kim, Boo Sung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Association of Internal Medicine 01.12.2010; 대한내과학회
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Cyclooxygenase 2 - analysis; Cyclooxygenase 2 - physiology; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Disease Progression; Female; Hepatitis, Chronic - enzymology; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Liver Cirrhosis - drug therapy; Liver Cirrhosis - enzymology; Male; Middle Aged; Original; 내과학; Immunohistochemistry; Hepatitis, chronic; Liver cirrhosis; Cyclooxygenase 2
• ISSN: 1226-3303; 2005-6648
• DOI: 10.3904/kjim.2010.25.4.364

To investigate the degree of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. COX-2 protein expression was evaluated in 43 cases of chronic hepatitis and 24 cases of cirrhosis using immunohistochemical techniques. The COX-2 immunohistochemical staining score was assessed using the scoring systems of Pazirandeh et al and Qiu et al. and each scoring system was based on a sum of the parameters of staining intensity and distribution. The mean COX-2 expression scores in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis were 2.5 ± 1.3 vs. 3.3 ± 1.1 (p = 0.008), and 3.2 ± 2.0 vs. 4.5 ± 1.7 (p = 0.006), respectively, based on the Pazirandeh et al. and Qiu et al. scoring systems. The percentage samples of high COX-2 expression score (4 to 5) in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis were 16.3% vs. 45.8% (p = 0.022), and 23.3% vs. 50% (p = 0.021), respectively, based on the two scoring systems. The mean COX-2 expression scores based on the severity of hepatic fibrosis scored using Ishak's modified staging system (fibrosis score 0 to 3 vs. 4 to 6) were 2.4 ± 1.3 vs. 3.2 ± 1.1 (p = 0.009), and 3.1 ± 2.0 vs. 4.3 ± 1.8 (p = 0.009), respectively, based on the two scoring systems. COX-2 expression was significantly higher in liver cirrhosis group than in chronic hepatitis. COX-2 expression scores according to Ishak's staging was significantly higher in the advanced fibrosis group. COX-2 may play a role in the progression of hepatic fibrosis.