Low fibronectin in portal hypertension.
We have measured plasma fibronectin in 28 patients with well-compensated chronic liver disease, 4 patients with non-cirrhotic portal hypertension and 6 patients who have undergone shunt surgery for the relief of portal hypertension and splenectomy. 17 patients with portal hypertension had significantly lower levels of fibronectin (207 +/- 54; mean +/- SD) compared with 15 patients without portal hypertension (315 +/- 75, p less than 0.001) and the 6 patients who had undergone shunting and splenectomy (330 +/- 66, p less than 0.001). We suggest that in patients with portal hypertension and splenomegaly, low levels of fibronectin might result from increased consumption by the enlarged spleen.
D005353:Fibronectins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000097:blood* / Q000601:surgery; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D011170:Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical; D013156:Splenectomy; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000097:blood
D005353:Fibronectins