Elevated nitric oxide and 3',5' cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether serum levels of nitric oxide (NO*) and plasma levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and total glutathione (GSH) are altered in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and to examine their correlation with the severity of liver disease.


METHODS
Twenty-six patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis were studied. Serum levels of NO* and plasma levels of cGMP and GSH were measured in 7 patients with compensated alcoholic cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A) and 19 patients with advanced cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B and C). The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was evaluated. Sixteen healthy volunteers served as controls. Liver enzymes and creatinine levels were also tested.


RESULTS
NO* and cGMP levels were higher in patients with Child-Pugh B and C cirrhosis than in Child-Pugh A cirrhosis or controls (NO*: 21.70 +/- 8.07 vs 11.70 +/- 2.74; 21.70 +/- 8.07 vs 7.26 +/- 2.47 micromol/L, respectively; P < 0.001) and (cGMP: 20.12 +/- 6.62 vs 10.14 +/- 2.78; 20.12 +/- 6.62 vs 4.95 +/- 1.21 pmol/L, respectively; P < 0.001). Total glutathione levels were lower in patients with Child-Pugh B and C cirrhosis than in patients with Child-Pugh A cirrhosis or controls (16.04 +/- 6.06 vs 23.01 +/- 4.38 or 16.04 +/- 6.06 vs 66.57 +/- 26.23 micromol/L, respectively; P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between NO* and cGMP levels in all patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. A significant negative correlation between reduced glutathione/glutathione disulfide and the MELD score was found in all cirrhotic patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest a role for oxidative stress in alcoholic liver cirrhosis, which is more significant in decompensated patients with higher levels of NO* and cGMP and lower GSH levels than in compensated and control patients. Altered mediator levels in decompensated patients may influence the hemodynamic changes in and progression of liver disease.
Siqueira
Cíntia
C
Center of Gastroenterology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal. cintiasiqueira@fm.ul.pt
de Moura
Miguel Carneiro
MC
Pedro
Ana Julia
AJ
Rocha
Paula
P
D000328:Adult; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D006152:Cyclic GMP