Background and purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor of the digestive system in our country

with high fatality

development of HCC and the machine system research and treatment is a primary issue in current study of HCC. To explore the expression of β-catenin at different stages in the process of hepatocellular carcinoma carcinogenisis for SD rats induced by chemicals. Methods: The experimental group included 48 male SD rats mice with primary liver cancer induced by diethylnirtosamine/carbon tetrachloride/Ethanol

while 48 normal male SD rats mice were used as the control group. The rats were killed every 3 weeks to collect the specimens and observe the pathological changes by HE staining. The changes of β-catenin protein expressions were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot respectively. Results: SD rats liver cancer was confirmed by HE staining after 21 weeks DEN/CCl4/Ethanol induction. Immunohistochemistry showed that β-catenin expression level was obviously higher in the experimental group(0.27±0.01) than that of the control group(0.21±0.02) after 3 weeks induction(P0.05). As time progresses

the expression levels of β-catenin kept on rising

and at the 18th(0.30±0.02) and 21th weeks(0.32±0.02)

it was significantly higher than that of the earlier liver tissues of the experimental group(P0.05)

Western blot consistent with immunohistochemical results. Conclusion: β-catenin protein expression is different in the normal liver tissue

cirrhosis

liver cancer

β-catenin and the occurrence of liver carcinoma development had close relationship. β-catenin protein in the cell with further accumulation

may active a series of target gene

leading to the formation of liver cancer..