Hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) is single most potent in vitro mitogen for hepatocytes yet described. Increased levels of HGF in the rat following partial hepatectomy or carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage strongly suggest that it plays a key
role
in liver regeneration. Serum levels of human hepatocyte growth factor(hHGF) were reported to be markedly increased in patients with fulminant hepatic failure(FHF) in relation to grade of hepatic coma, and also slightly increased in acute and
chronic
liver diseases.
In this study, we intended to identify the difference of serum hHGF levels in various liver diseases and their changes during the clinical courses. Serum hHGF levels was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 14 patients with FHF, 23
with
acute viral hepatitis (AVH), 18 with chronic active hepatitis(CAH), 19 with liver cirrhossi(LC) and 32 with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). The mean value of serum hHGF was highest in cases with FHF, which was 5.6±3.8(S.D.) ng/ml. The hHGF level
greater
than 1.0ng/ml was found in 100% of FHF, 9% AVH, 6% of CAH, 21% of LC and 13% of HCC. Although statistically not significant, serum hHGF had direct correlation with billirubin levels. Among 5 patients with FHF whose serum hHGF levels were serially
checked, progressive increase of hHGF was observed in 3 patients who died. On the contrary, serum hHGF progressively decreased in the survivors. There was no significant change of hHGF between active and convalescent state in AVH and CAH. Serum
hHGF
levels were elevated slighly after transarterial chemoembolization in patients with HCC. It is suggested that highest elevation of hHGF is characteristic of FHF and serial measurement of hHGF level can be useful to predict the outcome of FHF.
(Korean J
Gastroenterol 1994 ; 26 : 931-936)
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