Biomarkers of angiogenesis and endothelial dysfunction in children and adolescents with chronic viral hepatitis.

Abstract

At some works, it has been shown there are signs of damage and endothelium dysfunction in patients with chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) and liver cirrhosis of viral etiology the severity of these conditions depends on the severity of the pathological process. Evaluation of the role of angiogenic factors and endothelial dysfunction in persistent of CVH in children and adolescents. 35 patients were examined: of which 11 with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 24 with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The reference group consisted of 120 practically healthy persons of the corresponding age and sex. VEGF-A, angiotensin (ANG), soluble receptors of VEGF-A (sVEGF-R1 и sVEGF-R2) and trombomodulin (TM) have been investigated in serum by enzyme immunoassay using special kits (BCM Diagnostics, USA). Other endothelial dysfunction markers as von Willebrand factor (vWf) was determined in blood plasma by immunoturbidimetry (Siemens, Germany), plasminogen (PLG) was investigated due to extended coagulation. In children with CVH, regardless of etiology, the concentration of VEGF-A was significantly lower, and sVEGF-R2, sVEGF-R1 and TM was higher than in children without liver disease (p <0.001, p <0.05, p <0.01, p <0.001, respectively). The concentration of TM and the level of PLG activity in patients with CHC were slightly higher than in CHB. Decreased level of VEGF-A and increased expression of its soluble receptors indicate enhanced inhibition of angiogenesis in CVH, which may indicate the pathogenetic role of this phenomenon in the development of liver damage in CHC.