A. Sanchez-rodriguez et al., Correlation of high levels of hyaluronan and cytokines (IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TGF-beta) in ascitic fluid of cirrhotic patients, DIG DIS SCI, 45(11), 2000, pp. 2229-2232
Our objective was to investigate the relationship between endotoxin and hya
luronan synthesis and release in serum and ascitic fluid from cirrhotic pat
ients. We studied hyaluronan, endotoxin, albumin, and creatinine levels in
ascitic fluid and plasma and cytokine levels (IL-1 beta, IL-6, TGF-beta) in
ascitic fluid. TGF-beta, IL-6, and IL-1 beta correlation analyses indicate
d a strong dependence of the production of these cytokines on endotoxin lev
els. Correlation analyses for TGF-beta and IL-6 indicated a strong dependen
ce of the production of hyaluronan on cytokine levels and, to a lesser exte
nt, on IL-1 beta levels. Hyaluronan analysis indicated that a certain glyco
saminoglycan level is required in ascites before its appearance in plasma.
Our results disclosed elevated plasma hyaluronan concentrations. The simult
aneous increased hyaluronan levels in ascitic fluid do not seem to be deriv
ed from the systemic circulation. In conclusion, the high hyaluronan-ascite
s/hyaluronan-plasma ratio suggests an intrinsic hyaluronan production from
peritoneal cells induced by endotoxins.