[TGF beta 1 and ET-1 expression in the peripheral blood of patients with cirrhosis].
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to determine 1. the variation of blood TGF beta 1 and ET-1 in patients with liver cirrhosis; 2. the relationship of the blood TGF beta 1 and ET-1 with Child degree of liver function and the severity of esophageal varices.


METHODS
Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 72 patients and 24 normal controls. The blood levels of TGF beta 1 and ET-1 were measured by using a standard bioassay and the radioimmunoassay.


RESULTS
TGF beta 1 level (11.77 +/- 1.32 ng/ml) and ET-1 level (78.37 +/- 17.54 pg/ml) were significantly higher in the patients than those in controls(P < 0.05). The increase of the ET-1 in the patients is closely associated with Child degree of liver function (r = 0.94) and the severity of esophageal varices(r = 0.87). TGF beta 1 concentration is not associated with Child degree of liver function (r = 0.11) and the severity of esophageal varices (r = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
TGF beta 1 and ET-1 may play an important role in the pathophysiologic process of cirrhosis. ET-1 concentration may reflect portal hypertension development.
Yang
L
L
Department of Internal Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, WCUMS, Chengdu 610041, China.
Liu
X
X
Fu
H
H
Qiang
O
O
Huang
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
D015415:Biomarkers; D019332:Endothelin-1; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1