Increased levels of human hepatocyte growth factor in serum and peritoneal fluid after partial hepatectomy.

OBJECTIVE/
METHOD: It has been reported that inflammatory cytokines up-regulate human hepatocyte growth factor synthesis in vitro. To demonstrate the relation of this growth factor to interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha, the changes in the levels of these cytokines were measured in serum and peritoneal fluid in 22 patients after partial hepatectomy.
RESULTS: Serum and fluids levels of cytokines showed a maximum within 3 days after surgery. Cytokines concentrations were much higher in fluid than in serum (p < 0.05). The maximum serum levels of human hepatocyte growth factor were significantly correlated with those of interleukin-6, intraoperative blood loss, and operating time (p < 0.05) but not resected liver weights. In fluid level, the growth factor was also correlated with interleukin-6 (p < 0.05) but with tumor necrosis factor alpha.
CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that human hepatocyte growth factor might be locally produced in the injured tissue associated with interleukin-6 and independently of resected liver weights.