Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Bearing Mice as Model of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Aims: Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) is a transplantable neoplasia from a malign epithelium; it is a form of ascites when inoculated into the intraperitoneal cavity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of EAC and human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on the liver in mice and human.

Methodology: A total of 10 female Albino mice and 10 blood samples and liver biopsy from humans were used in this work; mice were divided into two equal groups, group 1, control mice; group 2, EAC; Group 3, control humans collected from healthy male and group 4, HCC include patients infected with HCC. Blood samples and liver tissues were collected from all groups.

Results: The obtained results showed increase in liver enzymes activity (AST, ALT and ALP), and decrease level of albumin in serum, also changes in histopathological and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expressions in liver sections in EAC and HCC when compared to the control group of mice and humans respectively.

Conclusion: It could be concluded that EAC bearing mice lead to a same defect on liver enzymes, histopathological and immunohistochemical which simulates and corresponds the same problems in the human HCC. We recommend using Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) as a model for human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which saves time and money in addition to the possibility of studying the tumor pathogenesis and development of anti-tumorigenic agents.