Ang-2 levels in the hepatic vein significantly correlated with Ang-2 mRNA expression in HCC, but Ang-2 levels in the peripheral vein did not correlate.
Furthermore, a high Ang-2/1 mRNA ratio in HCC was closely associated with tumor portal vein invasion, tumor diameter, and the microvessel density level as assessed by CD34 immunostaining.
The MVD was significantly correlated with VEGF165, VEGF189, Ang2 and EG-VEGF mRNA with Spearman's related coefficient being 0.764, 0.510, 0.640 and 0.366 in HCC (P = 0.000, 0.000 0.000 and 0.003).
Ang-2 and VEGF mRNAs in HCC were significantly higher than those in NCL tissue (P < 0.05), whereas the Ang-1 and Tie2 mRNAs showed no statistical significance (P > 0.05), though slightly lower level of Ang-1 mRNA in HCC was observed.