engleski

Endothelin (1-21) levels in various degrees of alcoholic liver cirrhosis

Endothelin (ET) is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide, made up of 21 amino acids. It is produced and released from endothelial cells in the form of preproendothelin where an intermediate big-endothelin is derived. Liver cirrhosis is accompanied by onset of ascites, portal hypertension and changes in systemic and regional hemodynamics. Increased ET levels have been reported in liver cirrhosis patients related to deranged systemic circulation. The aim of study was to compare ET(1-21) levels in patients with various degrees of alcoholic liver cirrhosis. ET(1-21) was measured in plasma by ELISA test (Biomedica, Graz, Austria) with a detectable limit of 0.05 pmol/L. Sixty proven alcoholic liver cirrhosis patients and 86 healthy volunteers matched for sex and age were included in study. Statistical analysis was made by Sigmastat and Excel computer program. ET(1-21) levels were significantly higher in patients (0.55, range 0-6.19) than in healthy control group (0.12, range 0-1.67 pmol/L, p<0.001). Patients with ascites as well as oesophageal varices had higher values than patients without it. Only patients with most severe degree of liver disease had higher ET values compared to other subgroups and healthy volunteers. There were found negative correlations between ET(1-21) and serum albumins, prothrombin time and sodium (r=-0.36, r=-0.37, r=-0.33), respectively and positive with -y^globulins (r=0.44, p<0.05). Clinical accuracy of ET(1-21) is high (P=0.72, p<0.05), so it might be a useful marker of vascular changes in these patients.

endothelin; liver cirrhosis

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