[Expression of local angiotensinogen mRNA and activation of local nuclear factor-kappaB in vasculopathy of portal hypertension].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of local angiotensinogen mRNA and activation of local nuclear factor-kappaB in vasculopathy of portal hypertension and to discuss their role in the pathogenesis of portal hypertensive vasculopathy.


METHODS
RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of local angiotensinogen mRNA in 28 specimens of splenic artery and vein obtained during operation of elective separation and amputation on 28 portal hypertension (PH) patients, 20 males and 8 females, aged 51.7 +/- 10 (30 - 65), and in 12 specimens of normal vessel from 12 patients undergoing splenectomy due to traumatic rupture of spleen. Chemiluminescent electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was used to detect the activation of NF-kappaB in splenic artery and vein.


RESULTS
The levels of local angiotensinogen mRNA in the splenic artery and vein of PH group were 0.48 +/- 0.21 and 0.43 +/- 0.16 respectively, both significantly higher than those in the control group (0.23 +/- 0.12 and 0.18 +/- 0.10, both P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the splenic artery and vein in the expression of local angiotensinogen mRNA in PH group. The activation levels of NF-kappaB in splenic artery and vein of the PH patients were 1.44 +/- 0.23 and 1.38 +/- 0.18 respectively, both significantly higher than those of the control group (0.19 +/- 0.20 and 0.25 +/- 0.16 respectively, both P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the activation levels of NF-kappaB between the splenic artery and vein in the PH patients (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Local angiotensinogen and activation of NF-kappaB maybe one of the factors in the pathogenesis of portal hypertensive vasculopathy, which can cause and advance portal hypertensive vasculopathy.
Sun
Zheng
Z
Department of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical college, Huazhong Science and Technology University, Wuhan 430030, China.
Yang
Zhen
Z
Xu
Jun-yao
JY
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000808:Angiotensinogen / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D013157:Splenic Artery / Q000378:metabolism; D013162:Splenic Vein / Q000378:metabolism
D016328:NF-kappa B; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000808:Angiotensinogen