Apoptosis and expression of bcl-2 gene in gallbladder neoplasms

AbstractAIM To investigate the effects of apoptosis and bcl-2 gene in gallbladder neoplasms.METHODS The number of apoptosis and the bcl-2 positive expression rate were observed in 24 cases of gallbladder carcinomas and 16 gallbladder adenomas,using in situ and labeling (ISEL) method and immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS The incidence and number of apoptosis in gallbladder adenoma was significantly lower than in gallbladder carcinoma (Nevin stage S4,S5) (5.6% vs 100%,χ2=36.115,P0.01), and well differentiated gallbladder carcinoma had less apoptosis cells than poorly differentiated gallbladder carcinoma (Nevin stage S1-S3, χ2=19.05,P0.01). In bcl-2 positive expression, there was no significant difference between gallbladder carcinoma and gallbladder adenoma (χ2=1111,P0.05). The expression of bcl-2 was related to apoptosis in gallbladder carcinoma (χ2=11.82,P0.01).CONCLUSION The rate of apoptosis may be a perfect prognostic index for gallbladder carcinoma, and apoptosis may play an important role in the pathogenesis of gallbladder carcinoma.