title: Nitro-oxidative stress, VEGF and MMP-9 in patients with cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic portal hypertension.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nitro-oxidative stress may have pathophysiological consequences. The study aimed to assess the nitro-oxidative stress, the vascular growth factor, and metalloproteinase-9 levels in patients with noncirrohic and cirrhotic portal hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with noncirrhotic portal hypertension (n=50) and cirrhotic portal hypertension (n=50) from the 3rd Medical Clinic in Cluj-Napoca Romania were prospectively enrolled between October 2004 and October 2006. A control group of healthy volunteers (n=50) was also evaluated. Nitro-oxidative stress was assessed by measuring serum concentration of nitrites and nitrate, 3-nitrotyrosine, total oxidative status, total antioxidant reactivity, and oxidative stress index. Serum vascular growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9 were also determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum nitrites and nitrate levels significantly increased in both noncirrhotic (p<0.001) and cirrhotic portal hypertension (p=0.057). 3-nitrotyrosine also increased in noncirrhotic (p=0.001) and cirrhotic portal hypertension patients (p=0.014). Total oxidative status showed a significant increase in noncirrhotic (p<0.001) and in cirrhotic portal hypertension (p<0.001), but total antioxidant reactivity did not change significantly. The oxidative stress index increased in both noncirrhotic (p <0.001) and cirrhotic portal hypertension (p<0.001), as well as the serum vascular growth factor (p=0.005 and p=0.01, respectively). In NCPHT patients serum MMP-9 was significantly lower than in the healthy controls (p=0.03) and CPHT patients (p=0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with noncirrhotic and cirrhotic portal hypertension a significant systemic nitro-oxidative stress was found, correlated with an increase of VEGF. MMP-9 decreased in noncirrhotic portal hypertension.
authors.affiliation: 3rd Medical Clinic, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Leon Adrian
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Muti
authors.affiliation: Pathophysiology Department, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Alina Elena
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Pârvu
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Department, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Alexandra M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Crăciun
authors.affiliation: 3rd Medical Clinic, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Nicolae
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miron
authors.affiliation: 3rd Medical Clinic, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Acalovschi
keywords: cirrhotic portal hypertension; matrix metalloproteinase-9; nitro-oxidative stress; non-cirrhotic portal hypertension; vascular endothelial growth factor