PLASMA HEPARIN-BINDING EGF-LIKE GROWTH-FACTOR LEVELS IN PATIENTS AFTER PARTIAL-HEPATECTOMY AS DETERMINED WITH AN ENZYME-LINKED-IMMUNOSORBENT-ASSAY

We recently showed that heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF ) has hepatotrophic effects. In this study, we developed an ELISA syst em with high specificity and sensitivity for human plasma HB-EGF. In 1 4 patients who underwent partial hepatectomy, plasma HB-EGF levels wer e measured serially after surgery. In patients who underwent gross hep atectomy (lobectomy and segmentectomy), plasma HB-EGF levels increased , reaching maximal levels approximately 5 to 7 days after surgery. In patients who underwent minor hepatectomy (subsegmentectomy), plasma HB -EGF levels did not increase. Maximal plasma HB-EGF levels were signif icantly higher in patients who had a percent increased volume of the r emaining liver (%ILV) above 20% than those who had a %ILV below 20% (3 2.4 +/- 19.6 pg/ml vs 7.4 +/- 2.7, P < 0.05). The plasma HB-EGF values did not correlate with WBC counts, C-reactive protein, or alanine ami notransferase. Plasma HB-EGF may be a marker for liver regeneration af ter hepatectomy in humans. (C) 1998 Academic Press.