Diazepam binding inhibitor and total cholesterol plasma levels in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma

Regulatory Peptides
I VenturiniM Baraldi

Abstract

Cholesterol is used by cells for biosynthetic processes and for steroid synthesis. Although the role of cholesterol in tumorigenesis is not clear it is known that steroids are important factors in human carcinogenesis. A polypeptide, diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI), which is an endogenous ligand for peripheral benzodiazepine receptors enhances steroidigenesis by promoting cholesterol delivery to the inner mitochondrial membrane which represents the rate-limiting step of steroid biosynthesis. We have assayed the total cholesterol (TC) and the DBI plasma concentrations in patients with liver cirrhosis complicated by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in comparison with those of uncomplicated liver cirrhosis. TC and DBI levels have been studied in 73 cirrhotic patients and in 23 patients with HCC. Both TC and DBI levels were higher in HCC patients when compared with age, sex and Child-Pugh class matched cirrhotic controls. The values (mean+/-S.D.) in patients in Child-Pugh class B and C with and without HCC were respectively 128+/-30 mg/dl vs. 106+/-27 mg/dl (P < 0.01) and 2.05+/-0.78 pmol/ml vs. 0.78+/-0.84 pmol/ml (P < 0.0001). The data may be the result of the metabolic influence of tumors that enhances steroid biosynthesis during...Continue Reading

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Citations

May 23, 2014·Molecular Imaging and Biology : MIB : the Official Publication of the Academy of Molecular Imaging·Dewei TangH Charles Manning
Jul 28, 2007·Medical Hypotheses·Kyle Summers, Bernard Crespi
Apr 30, 2013·The International Journal of Eating Disorders·Elisa ContiRenata Nacinovich
Apr 23, 2015·Progress in Lipid Research·Ditte NeessNils J Færgeman
Nov 18, 2016·Molecular Imaging and Biology : MIB : the Official Publication of the Academy of Molecular Imaging·Dewei TangH Charles Manning
Jan 17, 2004·American Journal of Physiology. Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology·M A OstuniJ-J Lacapere
Mar 23, 2021·Translational Oncology·Shyamananda Singh MayengbamManoj Kumar Bhat

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