AFP and hepatocellular carcinoma: In the present study, we found that DEN-PB was able to induce the second stage of HCC, as evidenced by biochemical analysis showing staggeringly enhanced tumor markers (AFP and GOLPH3) and compromised antioxidant parameters (SOD, CAT, and GR) concomitant with highly elevated products of oxidative damage to key macromolecules (MDA, carbonyl content and 8-OHdG).