HEPATOCYTE GROWTH-FACTOR IN GLYCEROL-INDUCED ACUTE-RENAL-FAILURE

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) facilitates the regeneration of injured kidney in acute renal failure (ARF). Here we investigated the HGF pro duction in glycerol-induced ARF rats. HGF mRNA expression levels were elevated in liver, spleen, and lung 6-24 h after glycerol injection. T issue HGF protein levels determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay also increased in liver and spleen, whereas they decreased in th e injured kidney 24 h after injection. Immunohistochemical studies sho wed that the number of HGF-producing cells did not increase in the liv er. HGF receptor/c-Met mRNA levels were elevated only in the kidney. T hese results indicate that HGF supplied in an endocrine manner may pla y an important role in the regenerating process following ARF.