Portal serum human hepatocyte growth factor levels after partial hepatectomy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated whether or not hepatocyte growth factor in creases in portal serum via an endocrine mode after partial hepatectomy in humans; METHODOLOGY: Portal blood was sampled through a catheter inserted through t he umbilical vein to the portal trunk during surgery in 17 patients. Serum human hepatocyte growth factor levels were determined by enzyme-linked immu nosorbent assay. RESULTS: Human hepatocyte growth factor levels were higher in portal than i n peripheral serum throughout the study. Portal and peripheral serum human hepatocyte growth factor levels without complications increased rapidly and reached a maximum level 1 day after partial hepatectomy. The maximal level of portal and peripheral serum human hepatocyte growth factor was 1.20 and 1.00 ng/ml, respectively. In the case of hepatic failure after partial hep atectomy, portal and peripheral serum human hepatocyte growth factor levels markedly increased and reached 9.31 ng/ml and 6.78 ng/ml 2 days before dea th, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that hepatocyte growth factor increases in portal serum via an endocrine mode after partial hepatectomy in humans. Furthermore, measurement of the portal and peripheral serum human hepatocyt e growth factor levels may be useful for the clinical evaluation of patient s with pest-operative hepatic failure.