Serum hepatocyte growth factor as an index of extensive catabolism of patients awaiting liver transplantation
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) indicates significant energy catabolism in liver transplant candidates. Elevated HGF levels correlate with metabolic derangements, aiding in nutritional assessment for these patients.
Area Of Science
- Hepatology
- Metabolic Medicine
- Transplant Surgery
Background
- Liver transplant candidates often exhibit whole-body catabolism due to intrahepatic metabolic issues.
- Current nutritional assessments lack precision in determining energy status.
- Serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) shows promise in reflecting hepatic energy metabolism recovery post-transplant.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate the relationship between preoperative serum HGF levels and metabolic variables.
- To clarify the clinical utility of HGF measurement in evaluating patient catabolism.
Main Methods
- Analyzed blood samples and muscle/liver biopsy specimens from 30 liver transplant recipients.
- Measured preoperative serum HGF concentrations.
- Assessed whole-body energy metabolism via glycogen, glucose, insulin, ketone bodies, carnitine, and amino acid levels.
Main Results
- Elevated serum HGF in 22/30 patients correlated with Child-Pugh score.
- HGF showed negative association with muscle glycogen and positive correlation with glucose, total carnitine, and ketone bodies.
- Higher HGF linked to increased aromatic and branched-chain amino acids, with lower branched-chain to aromatic amino acid ratios.
Conclusions
- Elevated serum HGF in liver transplant candidates signifies inhibited peripheral glucose storage.
- Reflects enhanced lipid oxidation and increased peripheral branched-chain amino acid release.
- Indicates extensive energy catabolism in this patient group.
View abstract on PubMed