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

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.

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.

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.