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Patterns of Excretion of Methylated Purines in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Department of Pathology, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital Compound, Hong Kong

The quantities of total and free guanine, adenine, hypoxanthine, and six of their methylated derivatives and of 6-succinoaminopurine have been measured in urine specimens from cases of hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis of the liver, and from normal subjects. Total base was defined as the sum of the free purine plus the increment released by means of acid hydrolysis. Analyses were performed with an improved paper chromatographic technique described in this report. Differences associated with hepatoma were best shown in the concentrations of total and bound purine relative to creatinine. On the average, total 7-methylguanine, 1-methylguanine, N²-dimethylguanine, 1-methylhypoxanthine, and adenine in hepatoma increased to about twice the corresponding normal values. These abnormalities could not be ascribed solely to differences in creatinine output which were similarly reduced in the two disease groups. Compared to cirrhosis patients, the cancer patients excreted greater quantities of the same five purines and also of N²-methylguanine. All 18 subjects studied were male adult Chinese.

¹ This study was carried out in partial fulfillment of the requirements at the University of Hong Kong for the degree of Master of Philosophy. Present address: Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

² To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received 9/27/73. Accepted 2/ 4/74.