Elastase binding capacity of α2-macroglobulin and its association with glucocorticoid concentration in southern African black patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Thirty-three Southern African black patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (7 women) and 43 black control individuals (14 women), all in the age group 18–45 years, were investigated for plasma α₂-macroglobulin (α₂M) elastase binding capacity (EBC). Cortisol levels were measured in 15 (3 women) of the HCC patients and 10 (5 women) of the control subjects. A significant difference in EBC was found between the HCC patients and the control subjects (P < 0.001). A significant difference was also found in cortisol levels between the two groups (P < 0.001). A significant correlation between EBC and cortisol levels was obtained (r = 0.57; P < 0.042). The significant increase in EBC of α₂M in HCC patients could be due to an increase in circulating cortisol.