Thai Journal of Gastroenterology

Article :
Serum Levels of HGF, IGF-I, and IGF-II in Patients with Cirrhosis: Clinical Implications

Author :
Pim Jetanalin, MD
Pisit Tangkijvanich, MD
Varocha Mahachai, MD
Apiradee Theamboonlers, MSc
Yong Poovorawan, MD

Abstract :

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF),
insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) in patients with cirrhosis, and to
investigate whether measurement of these cytokine levels could reflect the severity of cirrhosis assessed by Child Pugh staging. 

Patients and Methods: Sera levels for HGF, IGF-I and IGF-II obtained from 48 patients with cirrho-
sis, 50 patients with chronic hepatitis, and 14 healthy controls were measured by ELISA assay.
Results: Mean serum HGF level was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than in patients with
chronic hepatitis and healthy controls.  In contrast, the mean values for IGF-I and IGF-II in cirrhotic patients were significantly lower than in the other groups.  The mean levels for HGF in Child B and C were significantly higher than those in Child A.  No significant difference of HGF level was observed between patients with Child B and C. The mean levels for IGF-I and IGF-II in Child C were significantly lower than those in Child B and Child A. There were significant correlation between the levels of HGF, IGF-I or IGF-II and Child-Pugh staging

Conclusion: Serum HGF, IGF-I and IGF-II levels reflect the degree of liver dysfunction, and may be
used as complementary prognostic markers to Child-Pugh staging in assessment patients with cirrhosis.

[Thai J Gastroenterol 2007; 8(1): 23-27]

Keyword :
cirrhosis, HGF, IGF-I, IGF-II, Child-Pugh score

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