title: Increased plasma levels of neuropeptide Y in hepatorenal syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship between neuropeptide Y (NPY), a potent renal vasoconstrictor peptide released upon marked stimulations of sympathetic nervous system (SNS), and renal and circulatory function in cirrhosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma levels of NPY (radioimmunoassay) and norepinephrine and renal function parameters were determined in 17 healthy controls, nine patients with cirrhosis without ascites, and 37 patients with cirrhosis and ascites, of whom 12 had hepatorenal syndrome (HRS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with ascites showed circulating levels of NPY similar to those of patients without ascites and controls (73+/-4, +/-4 and 68+/-4 pmol/l, respectively; NS). However, patients with HRS had significantly increased levels of NPY with respect to the other groups (110+/-6 pmol/l; P<0.001). NPY levels correlated inversely with renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate and directly with norepinephrine. In patients with HRS (n=6) treatment with terlipressin and albumin was associated with a marked improvement in circulatory and renal function and marked suppression of NPY and norepinephrine levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with HRS have increased levels of NPY which are related to circulatory dysfunction and SNS activation and may contribute to renal vasoconstriction.
authors.affiliation: Liver Unit, Institut de Malalties Digestives, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Uriz
authors.forename: Pere
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ginès
authors.forename: Rolando
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ortega
authors.forename: Wladimiro
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jiménez
authors.forename: Andrés
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cárdenas
authors.forename: Blas
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Calahorra
authors.forename: Pau
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sort
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: Ramón
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bataller
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arroyo
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rivera
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodés
mesh_terms: D001201:Ascites / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006530:Hepatorenal Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000097:blood*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D012079:Renal Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D003404:Creatinine; D009638:Norepinephrine