CASP3 and hepatocellular carcinoma: However, oral treatment of the DENA-treated rats with either PJ or PCG improved these disturbances in apoptosis as shown by significant upregulation in caspase-3 and Bax mRNA expression (P < 0.001), significant downregulation in Bcl-XL and Bcl-2 mRNA expression (P < 0.001), and an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio as compared to the HCC control rats (Fig. 2A–E).