Disturbances in the Glutathione/Ophthalmate Redox Buffer System in the Woodchuck Model of Hepatitis Virus-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma
2011

Glutathione and Ophthalmate Levels in Woodchucks with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Sample size: 8 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Andres Ibarra Rafael, Abbas R., Kombu R. S., Zhang Guo-Fang, Jacobs G., Lee Z., Brunengraber H., Sanabria J. R.

Primary Institution: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals, Case Medical Center

Hypothesis

Can disturbances in the glutathione redox buffer system be detected in animals with chronic viral hepatitis-induced HCC?

Conclusion

The study found significant disturbances in the glutathione redox buffer system and higher concentrations of ophthalmate in woodchucks with hepatitis virus-induced HCC.

Supporting Evidence

  • The concentration of reduced glutathione was lower in plasma from WHV+/HCC+ animals compared to WHV+/HCC− and WHV−/HCC−.
  • The concentration of oxidized glutathione was higher in plasma from WHV+/HCC+ animals compared to WHV+/HCC− and WHV−/HCC−.
  • Ophthalmate concentration was significantly higher in WHV+/HCC+ compared to WHV+/HCC− and WHV−/HCC−.

Takeaway

This study looked at how certain chemicals in the blood change when woodchucks have liver cancer caused by a virus, which might help doctors find liver cancer earlier in people.

Methodology

Glutathione species and ophthalmate concentrations were measured in plasma and red blood cells from infected woodchucks using LC-MS.

Limitations

The sample size was limited and one animal was excluded due to illness; the correlation of tumor volume with glutathione disturbances was not explored.

Participant Demographics

Woodchucks aged 21–36 months, weighing 2.5–2.75 kg.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.0002

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1155/2011/789323

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