In this study, we investigated the hepatic mRNA amounts of alpha-TTP during rat hepatic carcinogenesis and liver regeneration on Northern blot, localization of alpha-TTP mRNA in HCC of rats and humans by in situ hybridization, and we analyzed the correlation between alpha-TTP mRNA and alpha-tocopherol. alpha-TTP mRNA concentrations of the rats were decreased at the early stage of hepatic carcinogenesis, and remained 3-5-fold reduced as the tumor progressed.