Plasma heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor levels in patients after partial hepatectomy as determined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
We recently showed that heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) has hepatotrophic effects. In this study, we developed an ELISA system with high specificity and sensitivity for human plasma HB-EGF. In 14 patients who underwent partial hepatectomy, plasma HB-EGF levels were measured serially after surgery. In patients who underwent gross hepatectomy (lobectomy and segmentectomy), plasma HB-EGF levels increased, reaching maximal levels approximately 5 to 7 days after surgery. In patients who underwent minor hepatectomy (subsegmentectomy), plasma HB-EGF levels did not increase. Maximal plasma HB-EGF levels were significantly higher in patients who had a percent increased volume of the remaining liver (%ILV) above 20% than those who had a %ILV below 20% (32.4 +/- 19.6 pg/ml vs 7.4 +/- 2.7, P < 0.05). The plasma HB-EGF values did not correlate with WBC counts, C-reactive protein, or alanine aminotransferase. Plasma HB-EGF may be a marker for liver regeneration after hepatectomy in humans.
Yamada
A
A
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka University Medical School, Japan. ayamada@imed2.med
Kawata
S
S
Tamura
S
S
Kiso
S
S
Higashiyama
S
S
Umeshita
K
K
Sakon
M
M
Taniguchi
N
N
Monden
M
M
Matsuzawa
Y
Y
D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000601:surgery; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D066257:Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008115:Liver Regeneration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014054:Tomography
D015415:Biomarkers; C587883:HBEGF protein, human; D066257:Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor