Portal serum human hepatocyte growth factor levels after partial hepatectomy.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated whether or not hepatocyte growth factor increases in portal serum via an endocrine mode after partial hepatectomy in humans.


METHODS
Portal blood was sampled through a catheter inserted through the umbilical vein to the portal trunk during surgery in 17 patients. Serum human hepatocyte growth factor levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
Human hepatocyte growth factor levels were higher in portal than in peripheral serum throughout the study. Portal and peripheral serum human hepatocyte growth factor levels without complications increased rapidly and reached a maximum level 1 day after partial hepatectomy. The maximal level of portal and peripheral serum human hepatocyte growth factor was 1.20 and 1.00 ng/ml, respectively. In the case of hepatic failure after partial hepatectomy, portal and peripheral serum human hepatocyte growth factor levels markedly increased and reached 9.31 ng/ml and 6.78 ng/ml 2 days before death, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that hepatocyte growth factor increases in portal serum via an endocrine mode after partial hepatectomy in humans. Furthermore, measurement of the portal and peripheral serum human hepatocyte growth factor levels may be useful for the clinical evaluation of patients with post-operative hepatic failure.
Higaki
I
I
Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka City General Hospital, Japan.
Yamazaki
O
O
Matsuyama
M
M
Horii
K
K
Kawai
S
S
Hirohashi
K
K
Kinoshita
H
H
D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011169:Portal Vein; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D011379:Prognosis
D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor