Plasma human hepatocyte growth factor concentrations in patients with biliary obstruction.

BACKGROUND

It has been suggested that human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) maintains the growth and viability of hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells. The purpose of this study was to determine plasma hHGF concentrations in patients with obstructive jaundice and to correlate these findings with clinical outcome.

METHODS

The study included 22 patients who had biliary obstruction and underwent percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. The plasma concentrations of hHGF, standard liver function tests, daily bile flow and the half-life of serum total bilirubin were measured following the drainage.

RESULTS

Plasma hHGF concentrations were significantly higher in patients with biliary obstruction compared with a control group (P<0.01). The plasma hHGF concentrations correlated with white cell count, prothrombin time and bilirubin half-life (P<0.05), but not with the values from other liver function tests. Seven patients who died within 3 months after biliary drainage had significantly higher concentrations of plasma hHGF than the 15 patients who survived for at least 3 months (P<0.05). The patients who experienced a poor outcome also had lower bile flows and prolonged bilirubin half-lives compared with the survivors (P<0.05). The plasma hHGF concentrations decreased significantly after biliary drainage in the survivors (P<0.01), but not in the patients with a poor outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that systemic inflammation and the hepatic dysfunction caused by obstructive jaundice cause an increase in the plasma concentrations of hHGF. In addition, the plasma concentrations of hHGF may be a predictor of poor outcome in jaundiced patients.