Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) protein levels are not elevated in the blood or bile of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis: a pilot study.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic disorder of unknown etiology characterized by progressive fibrosis and stricturing of the biliary tract. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a family of cytokines produced by biliary tract epithelial cells that promote fibrinogenesis. Our objective was to determine whether TGF-beta levels are increased in the blood and/or bile of PSC patients compared to patients with other causes of obstructed biliary tracts (controls). Serum and bile TGF-beta levels were documented by enzyme-linked immunoassay in 10 adult PSC and 10 control patients obtained at the time of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. Serum and bile TGF-beta levels were similar in the two groups (PSC versus control sera, 33.4 +/- 4.3 versus 27.5 +/- 7.7 ng/ml, and bile, 367 +/- 275 versus 457 +/- 247 ng/mg, respectively). Serum and bile TGF-beta levels are not increased in patients with PSC. Hence, the results of this pilot study do not support the hypotheses that PSC is caused by dysregulated TGF-beta expression.
Section of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
J K
JK
Watt
K
K
Hawkins
M
M
Zhang
J
J
Lipschitz
G
G
Sandha
Y
Y
Gong
J
J
Uhanova
G Y
GY
Minuk
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D001646:Bile / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002758:Cholangiography; D015209:Cholangitis, Sclerosing / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase