title: Association between Plasma Endothelin-1, Transforming Growth Factor-β, Fibroblast Growth Factor, and Nitric Oxide Levels and Liver Injury in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Recipients with Persistent Iron Overload after Transplantation.
abstract: Graft-versus-host disease, iron overload, and infections are the major causes of liver dysfunction in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) recipients. We investigated the relationship between serum iron parameters and the levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and nitric oxide (NO) as predictors of chronic liver injury in 54 AHSCT recipients who survived at least a year after transplantation. Serum samples from patients were obtained for the evaluation of ET-1, TGF-β, FGF, NO, and nontransferrin bound iron at the first year follow-up visit using commercially available ELISA kits. Patients were categorized depending on serum ferritin and transferrin saturation levels. The parameters were compared between the groups, and survival analysis was also performed. Most of the AHSCT recipients (81.5%) were in complete remission during the study. After a median follow-up time of 73 months (range, 13 to 109 months), 72.2% of the patients were alive. Mean serum levels of ET-1, NO, TGF-β, and FGF were 81.54 ± 21.62 μmol/mL, 31.82 ± 26.42 μmol/mL, 2.56 ± 0.77 ng/mL, and 50.31 ± 32.69 pg/mL, respectively. Nineteen patients (35.2% of the cohort) had serum ferritin levels higher than 1000 ng/mL. Mean serum levels of ET-1, NO, TGF-β, and FGF were similar in patients with serum ferritin levels below or above 1000 ng/mL (P > .05). Serum ferritin levels were positively correlated with serum alanine aminotransferase (r = .284, P = .042) and γ-glutamyl transferase (r = .271, P = .05) levels and were negatively correlated with serum albumin levels (r = .295, P = .034). There was a significant positive correlation between serum transferrin saturation and alanine aminotransferase levels (r = .305, P = .03). Serum ET-1 level was positively correlated with alkaline phosphatase levels (r = .304, P = .026). In univariate Cox regression analysis serum levels of iron parameters, ET-1, NO, TGF-β, and FGF did not have an impact on overall survival (P > .05). The probability of progression-free survival was also similar in patients with ferritin levels above or below 1000 ng/mL (P = .275). The probability of survival was similar in patients with transferrin saturation ≥70% and <70% (P > .05). Serum iron parameters showed a positive correlation with liver injury. However, there was no correlation between fibrogenic cytokines and liver transaminases. Our results suggest that iron overload at least with the current levels of ferritin might have a relatively benign course. Prospective randomized trials will guide the actual role of iron chelation in the post-transplantation setting.
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Haematology, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Şahika Zeynep
authors: ŞZ
authors: Akı
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Haematology, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Elif
authors: E
authors: Suyanı
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Dr. A.Y. Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: drmustafacen@gmail.com.
authors: Mustafa
authors: M
authors: Cengiz
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Seren
authors: S
authors: Özenirler
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Şehri
authors: Ş
authors: Elbeğ
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Hatice
authors: H
authors: Paşaoğlu
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Haematology, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Gülsan Türköz
authors: GT
authors: Sucak
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D064591:Allografts; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D008099:Liver / Q000293:injuries* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D019332:Endothelin-1; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D007501:Iron
keywords: Endothelin-1; Fibroblast growth factor; Graft-versus-host disease; Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; Iron overload; Liver injury; Nitric oxide; Transforming growth factor-β