Expression of E-cadherin and Interleukin 6 in Human Chronic Cholecystitis

Objective To investigate the expression of E-cadherin and interleukin 6(IL-6) in human chronic cholecystitis. Methods A total of 120 post-operation specimens of cholecystitis(45 specimens of mild cholecystitis,45 of moderate cholecystitis,and 30 of severe cholecystitis) and 36 post-operation specimens of gallbladder carcinoma were selected in Wuhan General Hospital of Guangzhou Command from 2005 to 2010.The expression of E-cadherin and IL-6 protein in these specimens were assessed by immunohistochemical strept avidin-biotin complex(SABC) method.All the subjects signed the informed consent. Results There was significant difference among the four groups in the average gray scale and positive unit of E-cadherin and IL-6(P0.01).There was significant difference between the groups of different stone sizes(d3 cm vs ≤3 cm)(P0.01),and no difference between the groups of different ages(55 years vs ≤55 years) and genders(P0.05).The expression of E-cadherin was negatively correlated with IL-6(raverage gray scale=-0.79,rpositive unit=-0.87,P0.01). Conclusion E-cadherin and IL-6 is activated in the tissue of chronic cholecystitis and gallbladder carcinoma,whcih may play an important role in the development and transformation of gallbladder carcinoma.