The serum level of transforming growth factor-alpha in chronic viral hepatitis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the serum level of TGF-α in chronic hepatitis patients and the relation between TGF-α and hepatic function index, regeneration as well as prognosis. Methods The serum level of TGF-α in 26with chronic severe hepatitis patients, 30 chronic hepatitis B patients and 20 healthy individual (control group)was detected by ELISA. Results (1)Serum TGF-α level in chronic hepatitis B patients was much higher than in control group( P＜0.01). (2)There were differences in serum level of TGF-α among the chronic severe hepatitis patients with different prognosis: TGF-αlevel in good prognosis patients was much higher than in healthy individual(P＜0.05), TGF-α level in poor prognosis was slightly decreased, but there was no statistical significance(P＞0.05)between the patients and healthy individuals. (3)In group with chronic hepatitis B,the serum TGF-α level had no relation with the serum level of ALT, AST, ALB and Tbil, and in group with chronic severe hepatitis, the serum level of TGF-α also had no relation with theserum level of ALT, PI, Tbil, ALB and prothrombin time(PT). But the serum level of TGF-α was positive correlation with AFP(rs=0.763, P＜0.01). Conclusions (1) There are differences among the serum TGF-α level in chronic severe hepatitis patients with different prognosis. (2)In a sense, the serum TGF-α level can reflect the state of hepatocyte regeneration. Key words: Transforming growth factor alpha; Hepatitis, chronic; Liver regeneration