Jadegoud Yaligar1,
Wei W. Teoh2, Sanjay K. Verma1, Kanaga Sabapathy2,
Sendhil S. Velan1
1Laboratory
of Molecular Imaging, Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Singapore, Singapore; 2Laboratory
of Molecular Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center, Singapore, Singapore
Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, aflatoxin exposure are the major known causes of HCC. Even before tumors are seen, there are crucial metabolic perturbations involving in tumor. In the present study, to assess the independent risk factors of hepatitis B and aflatoxin exposure, we have used three HCC and one control group mice models which closely mimic the human HCC. Carnitine was indentified in liver even before the formation of neoplasm indicating the possibility of potential early marker even before tumors can be seen. Tumor carnitine and choline levels were at higher concentrations in HBsAg+AFB model compared to WT+AFB and HBsAg+Oil HCC model reflecting malignant transformation of tumor. Degree of unsaturation in tumors was lower than normal liver indicating altered lipid composition in tumors