Abstract:Objective:To investigate the relationship between hypoxia inducible factor-1α、angiopoietin2 and vascular endothelial growth factor and angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods:The expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α、angiopoietin2 and vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA was detected in 52 HCC surgical specimens. And microvessel density (MVD) in tissue specimens of patients with coexpression of the parameters was examined. Results:Of the 52 surgical specimens, 36 cases had over expression of HIF-α、angiopoietin and VEGF protein, and coexpression of HIF-α and angiopoietin and VEGF mRNA in 38 of 52 cases. The expression of HIF-α、angiopoietin was related with the expression of VEGF (r1= 0.783，P<0.01，r2=0.427，P<0.05，r3=0.433，P<0.05) . In the cases of over expression of HIF-α、angiopoietin and VEGF protein and mRNA, the average MVD was［（45.4 ±8.90）/HP］ significantly higher than that of cases with non coexpression group［(13.6±3.30)/HP］（P<0.05). Conclusions:HIF-α、angiopoietin and VEGF are possible angiogenic factors in the angiogenesis in HCC. Tumor tissue hypoxia may be the initiating factor.