Weight of resected liver is positively correlated with serum hHGF level.
OBJECTIVE
Human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) is involved in the control of liver regeneration.


METHODS
We measured serum hHGF levels before and after partial hepatectomy in 43 patients and recorded the weight of the resected liver.


RESULTS
Serum hHGF levels increased soon after operation and decreased thereafter. In the noncirrhotic group, the maximum hHGF concentration and the area under the curve of hHGF seven days postoperatively correlated with the weight of the resected liver.


CONCLUSIONS
The amount of injured liver tissue can be approximated by the serum hHGF levels. This calculation can be useful in evaluating cases of hepatectomy, general hepatic injury, liver transplantation, and other types of hepatic damage.
Miyata
K
K
First Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan.
Taniguchi
H
H
Takeuchi
K
K
Koyama
H
H
Tanaka
H
H
Takahashi
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D011184:Postoperative Period; D013997:Time Factors
D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor