SERUM HEPATOCYTE GROWTH-FACTOR CONCENTRATION IN PATIENTS WITH VARIOUSDEGREES OF CHRONIC-RENAL-FAILURE

Serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) concentrations were measured in h ealthy volunteers, chronic renal failure patients without renal replac ement therapy and haemodialysis patients. Serum HGF concentrations in healthy volunteers, chronic renal failure patients and haemodialysis p atients were 0.18 +/- 0.04 (s.d.), 0.28 +/- 0.06 and 0.46 +/- 0.22 ng/ mL, respectively. Serum HGF concentration in chronic renal failure pat ients was significantly higher than that in healthy volunteers. Serum HGF concentration in haemodialysis patients was significantly higher t han those in healthy volunteers and chronic renal failure patients. Th ere was no regression of serum HGF concentration on age, sex, history of haemodialysis, prehaemodialysis serum creatinine concentration, and serum tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha concentration. We conclude t hat chronic renal disease and haemodialysis therapy are contributing f actors to an increased serum HGF concentration.