Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Science - Department of Zoology

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common malignant tumor worldwide. In Egypt, its incidence rate was estimated to be between 5-7 per 100,000 populations per year. Taurine has been demonstrated to functions as a direct and indirect antioxidant and found to display antineoplastic effect through inhibition of angiogenesis and enhancement of tumor cell apoptosis. Its serum level was used as a biomarker in endometrial carcinoma and cancer breast in women. The aim of the study; The current research concerned with measuring serum taurine level in precancerous and cancer patients hoping to use its level as a biomarker in early detection or diagnosis of HCC in Egyptian patients, Patients and methods; Three groups of a total 80 patient{u2019}s candidate were selected from many patients presented with abdominal troubles and signs of liver impairment from Tropical Medicine Department, Ahmed Maher Teaching Hospital. The selected patients were classified into three groups, 1st group, included 20 patients were diagnosed as acute chronic hepatitis, 2nd group, included 20 patients diagnosed as cirrhotic patients. 3rd group: include 40 patients admitted to the hospital for treatment from typical HCC in different histopathological stages, full clinical examinations and imaging techniques (Abdominal Ultra Sound; CAT. Scan; oesophagoscope), fasting blood sample were taken from all patients to measure level of serum of AFP, AFU, and taurine, besides complete biochemical analysis (including liver and kidney functions, complete blood picture, FBS, prothrombin) and virus detection by PCR. Liver cells were examining histopathologically after taking a liver biopsy from all selected patients. Adding to 20 healthy volunteers was also enrolled as control

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