ABSTRACT
A series of similar deviations from the normal phenotype is seen in hepatocytes in the three stages of liver alteration and in a diversity of hepatocarcinogenesis protocol. These include re-expression of some fetal traits but also other enzymatic defects and morphological and ultrastructural changes. Female rats from our inbred Sprague-Dawley strain, weighing 200 to 250 g, were used. Hepatocarcinogenic treatment was performed according to Scherer and Emmelot, using diethylnitrosamine administered at a dose of 70 mg/kg body weight, 24 h after a two-third hepatectomy. Liver samples or, when present, dissected tumors were fixed in neutral formalin or formaldehyde-calcium, then embedded in paraffin or frozen for biochemical analysis. Work performed partially within the framework of Concerted Research Actions from the Belgian Ministry for Scientific Policy, and supported by the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique Médicale, the Loterie Nationale, the Association contre le Cancer, the Fondation Rose & Jean Hoguet, and the Fondation Van Buuren.
