The significance of serum hepatocyte growth factor levels in planning follow-up of postoperative jaundice-free patients with biliary atresia.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to clarify the significance of serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (ra) levels in the evaluation of disease status in jaundice-free survivors with biliary atresia after Kasai operation.


METHODS
Serum concentrations of HGF, IL-6, and IL-ra were measured in 31 long-term jaundice-free patients with biliary atresia after Kasai operation and 29 controls. Patients were divided into 4 groups: group A (n = 8), normal liver function; group B (n = 9), mild liver dysfunction without portal hypertension; group C (n = 9), moderate liver dysfunction with controllable portal hypertension; and group D (n = 5), receiving liver transplantation.


RESULTS
Serum IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls. There was no difference in serum IL-6 levels among groups B, C, and D. Serum IL-1ra levels were elevated according to liver dysfunction. Serum HGF levels in group D were significantly higher than in controls and the other groups. Serum hyaluronic acid levels were positively correlated with serum levels of IL-1ra and HGF.


CONCLUSIONS
Elevation of serum IL-1ra and HGF levels correlated with the progression of liver fibrosis and dysfunction. In particular, serum HGF levels could be used as a predictor for requiring liver transplantation.
Uchida
Keiichi
K
Department of Gastrointestinal and Pediatric Surgery, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu Mie 514-8507, Japan.
Inoue
Mikihiro
M
Otake
Kohei
K
Yoshiyama
Shigeyuki
S
Toiyama
Yuji
Y
Hiro
Junichiro
J
Araki
Toshimitsu
T
Miki
Chikao
C
Kusunoki
Masato
M
D001656:Biliary Atresia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018450:Disease Progression; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D007565:Jaundice / Q000209:etiology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011171:Portoenterostomy, Hepatic; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
C507763:IL1RN protein, human; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D015850:Interleukin-6; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor